Jannik Sinner, absolute protagonist in the 2023 final (Photo Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner has gained experience and perfected his tennis game to such an extent that in 2024 he can be the player just behind Novak Djokovic and compete on an equal footing with the Serbian champion, thanks to the technical and mental development shown at the end of this season and, above all, the push won by winning the Davis Cup as the protagonist. So says the French coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who was in Holger Rune’s corner until a few months ago, but has gained important experience with many racket champions. In a video shared on his social channels, Mouratoglou praises the Italian’s development, which he says is now ready to fight on a par with the Italian and a step above Alcaraz.
“I believe 2024 will still be Djokovic’s year, but who between Alcaraz and Sinner will be No. 2? Jannik is ready for itsays Mouratoglou. “Next year could be the year of Sinner, with Alcaraz right behind. What Jannik showed at the end of 2023 shows that he is 100% ready to compete at the highest level, he will be very dangerous for everyone.”
This is how the French coach compares the two young talents: “It’s true that Carlos is a few steps ahead of Jannik, he has won two Slams and was already number 1, Jannik not yet.” Alcaraz will probably beat him on clay, but I will think that on other surfaces I can imagine that the Italian will play better and stronger than the Spaniard next year because he plays so quickly, anticipates the ball and steals time from the opponent“.
The parallel the transalpine coach draws between Nole and Jannik regarding the importance of winning the Davis Cup is very interesting. In fact, the Serb led the national team to victory in 2010 (the only one in the country’s history) and then embarked on an incredible season with the tour in 2011. “In this sport, a lot depends on self-confidencehow you managed to internalize the experiences you had in this area. I think the second half of 2023 made Sinner feel like he could win anywhere. He didn’t manage to win the ATP Finals, but he beat Novak twice, he won the Davis Cup and that’s an incredible boost. It reminds me of Novak’s 2011. I remember a conversation with Tony Roche At the Australian Open 2011, to questions like this, he asked who will play better this year, and he responded by saying: “Djokovic will win a lot, he will be the man to beat this year.” Why did I asked him, and Tony said: “The way he won the Davis Cup, won for his country and was the one who got the crucial points will give him a phenomenal boost and great confidence for the following year.”. We saw what a year Djokovic had in 2011, he dominated. That’s why I think 2024 could be the year of the sinner. Of course, Djokovic will still be the man to beat, but Sinner is ready to have a great year as a protagonist and win big.
These are the innovations that Mouratoglou sees in Sinners Tennis: “Now he can use the short ball very well, he comes to the net more often and does it very well, he is efficient. Now tennis is much richer and can adapt to more situations. That’s why I believe Sinner can be number 2 at the end of 2024 and compete with Djokovic at the big tournaments.”
Very important words, an appointment as main rival No. 1, more than Alcaraz and Medvedev. Sinner is about to resume training by heading to Spain, where he will do a lot of physical work before the Christmas holidays. We all hope that his work progresses quickly and smoothly to continue the magic that he experienced in Turin and Malaga, where Jannik proved in these two weeks that he is the best tennis player in the world or that he is very, very Djokovic has come close. ..
Marco Mazzoni
