Jannik Sinner: The gangly Italian who has turned tennis’ ‘big two’ into a ‘big three’

Jannik Sinner has quietly and efficiently become a force to be reckoned with – Getty Images/Clive Brunskill

You have heard of nominative determinism? The idea that people are predisposed to live up to their surnames, like Scott Speed the stock-car racing driver?

Well, tennis’s newest star Jannik Sinner must be the exception that proves the rule. The man with the infernal surname – who has defeated Novak Djokovic twice in the last fortnight – is actually something of a choirboy. When pressed in a recent interview, Sinner admitted that he has only smashed two rackets all season – an almost unheard-of statistic on the crotchety modern tour.

Coming away from a conversation with Sinner, you might imagine that he still takes a glass of warm milk before bed, before being tucked in with his favourite teddy. He certainly never came across as a cold-eyed killer. And for the last couple of years, this mild-mannered air was reflected in a series of frustrating near misses. One example was the five-hour US Open quarter-final that Sinner – then 21 – lost to the even younger Carlos Alcaraz last year.

When Alcaraz went on to win that US Open, and then also defeated Djokovic in this summer’s Wimbledon final, tennis fans decided that they were looking at a new ‘big two’. In cycling terms, the peloton had been left behind. But power dynamics change quickly in this sport. Alcaraz – who had won six of the 10 events he entered up until Wimbledon – must have suffered a puncture during his post-grass celebrations, because he has gone zero for seven since. And Sinner has finally started coming up with his best shots when he needs them most, rather than at 30-15 in an otherwise routine game.

Take Saturday night’s three-set win over Djokovic. Italy had already lost the first rubber in their Davis Cup semi-final against Serbia, so when Djokovic brought up three match points – 0-40 on the Sinner serve – everyone assumed that this was a done deal.

Sinner beat Novak Djokovic (left) in both the men’s singles and doubles at the Davis Cup over the weekend – Getty Images/Clive Brunskill

Sinner knew otherwise. Perhaps he might have been a little fortunate that Djokovic missed a straightforward backhand slice on the next point – a rare error that betrayed a hint of mental weariness. But Sinner then capitalised with an unreturnable serve, followed by an assertive dash to the net. Having staved off the danger, he broke a disconcerted Djokovic in the next game, before serving out for the win.

“They [Italy] played really well,” said a chastened Djokovic afterwards. “Particularly Jannik, in singles against me and then doubles, as well. He barely missed the ball the entire match. So, you know, you can only say congrats and hats down for the performance like that.”

Serbia were the strongest team at the Final Eight event in Málaga, in singles terms at least, so this upset made for the key moment of the weekend. Italy went on to ease past Australia in Sunday’s final, thus claiming their first Davis Cup since 1976.

The anchorman for that previous triumph was Adriano Panatta, a dark and handsome figure who embodied la dolce vita. Sinner could hardly be more different. He is tall and gangly, and he speaks German for his first language because he hails from the border province of the Tyrol, where he was a champion skier as a boy. He is trailed around the tour by a gang of hardcore supporters who dress up as carrots in tribute to his shock of bright orange hair.

Sinner fans cheer on their man at this month’s ATP Finals in Turin – EPA/Alessandro Di Marco

Despite a loose-limbed manner that has earned comparisons to Mickey Mouse’s mate Goofy, Sinner has always been able to clunk the ball with his long levers off both wings, combining unexpected ball-speed with a sniper’s eye for the lines. What he did not used to have was much variation – drop-shots, slices and volleys – or a particularly reliable serve.

But Sinner’s other asset is a relentless work ethic. He is backed by arguably the best coaching team in the game – Australian maestro Darren Cahill, working in tandem with Italian Simone Vagnozzi – and his evolution this season has been wonderful to watch.

It is possible that Sinner’s Davis Cup triumph could catalyse his career in the same way that Djokovic’s similar feats in the same competition did in 2010, when he was also 22.

Djokovic went on to win three majors the following season, and while that would be an outlandish prediction to make for Sinner, he has already advanced to the sport’s top table. In Málaga at the weekend, the ‘big two’ became the ‘big three’.

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