Nick Kyrgios has bestowed high praise upon Jannik Sinner, suggesting that he could potentially emulate the success of Novak Djokovic.
Sinner’s commanding victory over Djokovic in the semifinals of the 2024 Australian Open propelled him to his first Major final and halted the Serbian’s remarkable 33-match winning streak at the Melbourne Major.
Nick Kyrgios, serving as a commentator for French broadcaster Eurosport, commended Sinner and revealed his keen observation of the Italian’s development over the past few years.
“He’s always eager to learn and improve. I’ve had my eye on him for the last year or two, and he truly deserves all the success that lies ahead. I’m confident we’ll see him in many more finals,” he remarked. (via Eurosport)
Sinner’s commitment to enhancing his game led him to part ways with his childhood coach, Riccardo Piatti, and enlist the expertise of Darren Cahill in June 2022. Cahill, renowned for his work with tennis luminaries such as Andre Agassi, Andy Murray, and Ana Ivanovic, received accolades from Kyrgios for his role in Sinner’s ascent.
“Darren Cahill is an outstanding coach, and the adjustments he’s made to Jannik Sinner’s game, coupled with Sinner’s willingness to embrace change, have propelled him to the pinnacle of the sport. It’s been a long time since anyone has outplayed Novak here, especially in such a convincing fashion. Novak didn’t even earn a single break point,” Kyrgios remarked.
Following his triumph over Djokovic, Sinner remarked on the similarities between his playing style and that of the Serbian maestro, a sentiment with which Kyrgios concurred. Kyrgios further suggested that Sinner has the potential to fill Djokovic’s shoes.
“I appreciate Sinner’s comparison. I find it intriguing. He and Novak exhibit similar playing styles. I can envision it. After today’s match, I’m convinced that Sinner could be the next Novak. While Carlos Alcaraz possesses that ‘X factor’ and perhaps a more flamboyant game style, Sinner’s solidity is undeniable,” Kyrgios concluded.
