By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Jannik Sinner has reached the highest of the road, however insists he is impressed by enchancment somewhat than rising to a historic first.
Australian Open champion Sinner is prime seed in Madrid for the primary time, leads the ATP with a 25-2 report and is No. 1 within the ATP Race to Turin.
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Then there are his friends, like world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who declare the 22-year-old Italian is already the most effective on the planet.
“He is the most effective participant on the planet proper now,” Alcaraz informed the media in Madrid. “I believe [some] assume his tennis does not swimsuit effectively to the clay, however he is had outcomes on clay as effectively.
“He can win each event he goes to, and clearly I am preventing with him and Novak to be primary. I am making an attempt to remain there, however actually it will be troublesome.”
Although he trails world No. 1 Novak Djokovic by simply 1,330 rating factors, Sinner says he is pushed by making progress somewhat than reaching the top of the game.
Sinner says he does not see himself on Djokovic or Alcaraz’s stage but as a result of they’ve achieved extra on larger levels.
“I believe it’s a tricky query to reply,” Sinner mentioned when requested if he is the most effective. “We all the time see solely this second and I believe that typically it’s good but additionally not good.
“I nonetheless consider that you just can not evaluate myself with Novak with all that he has accomplished. And the identical goes for Carlos. Additionally Carlos gained greater than me.
“I’ve a number of respect for each of them. I simply attempt to play my sport, making an attempt to know what works greatest for me after which we see what I can obtain.”
The highest-seeded Sinner will face both Davis Cup doubles companion Lorenzo Sonego or Richard Gasquet in his Madrid opener.
Photograph credit score: Matteo Villalba/Getty
