Italian tennis icon Nicola Pietrangeli has cautioned against prematurely naming Jannik Sinner as the greatest Italian player in history, despite his impressive title defense at the 2025 Australian Open.
Sinner, in what was a dominant display, triumphed over world No. 2 Alexander Zverev in the final, clinching a 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory. This latest Grand Slam win added to his impressive 2024 season, where he secured both the Australian Open and the US Open titles, bringing his career total to three majors. With this achievement, the 23-year-old Sinner has now surpassed Pietrangeli, becoming Italy’s most decorated player in Grand Slam history.
Pietrangeli, who claimed back-to-back French Open titles in 1959 and 1960, was the first Italian to win a Grand Slam and remains one of only two Italians to have won multiple majors. Known for his competitive spirit, the 91-year-old also boasts remarkable records in the Davis Cup, holding the records for the most rubbers played (164) and won (120).
In a recent interview with Adnkronos, Pietrangeli reflected on Sinner’s rise but urged caution in calling him the greatest. “It’s natural that he surpassed me – records are meant to be broken,” he acknowledged. “But the real evaluation comes at the end of a career. I genuinely hope he achieves even more. On the court, I had my moments of brilliance, but I wasn’t a threat to everyone like he is. But he’s still just 23. We’ll see where he stands when he’s 30. Just a couple of years ago, no one even knew his name.”
Pietrangeli went on to emphasize that the true test of greatness comes with time. “At the end of his career, we’ll be able to assess if he really is the best Italian ever. Right now, anything is still possible.”
When discussing Sinner’s clinical win over Zverev, Pietrangeli expressed his admiration, describing the match as “a walk in the park” for the Italian. “He’s got such control now, it’s like he’s effortlessly gliding around the court,” Pietrangeli noted. “I predicted the result, down to the scoreline: 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. I expected it because he’s simply too strong for anyone right now.”
Pietrangeli also hinted at Sinner’s potential for perfection. “The only way I see him losing is if he’s not feeling well or has a bad night’s sleep. I’m not sure what more he could improve on—he’s already the world number one. But it’s clear he’s enjoying himself on court, and that joy is key to his success.”