Elite coach Gilles Cervara thinks Jannik Sinner has started to embrace the levels of Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev (his charge at the moment).
Cervara hailed the improvements made by Sinner in all areas of his game and feels the only challenger left for the youngster is to establish himself in that status-quo translate this form into Grand Slams.
Medvedev, with whom Cervara is working since 2017, was the latest victim who fell down to Italian 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3 in the Vienna Open final on Saturday. However, it was not an easy task for the ATP #3 seed to overcome the Russian as he lost his first six encounters with him before eventually in the seventh (China Open) and eighth.
Sinner has shown no signs of stopping after his maiden major semifinal appearance at Wimbledon in July where he lost to Novak Djokovic. Before lifting ATP 500 trophies in Beijing and Vienna at the start and end of October, he earned his biggest title of his career by clinching Toronto Masters in the North American hardcourt swing in August.
The 22-year-old is quietly following the trio of Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev this season in the ATP rankings. He will be among the favorites to win the ATP finals in Turin in November where he will be making a debut.
Talking to Ubitennis, following Sinner’s win against his charge in Austria, Cervara highlighted the progress the Italian has made to move closer to the Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev establishment.
“I would say that there have been improvements in every aspect of his game. I’m really happy for him and his team. It’s always a nice thing when you see someone who manages to improve so much and works so seriously,” said Cervara.
“I see them every week for many months and to see the level they are reaching is remarkable. In general, it is rewarding and significant to see the results when one has worked so hard. Then in general, Jannik is good both in defense and in attack.
“He manages to put so much speed to his shots effortlessly and now he is playing without making the mistakes he did before. Playing against him now is really a great challenge and even his first serve now is faster.
“He’s playing better and better in every aspect and winning finals gives great confidence for the future. And in general, it’s good for tennis that there are so many players capable of reaching such a high level,” assessed the 42-year-old.
The Frenchman was also asked if he felt the 2023 Vienna Open champion had now entered the league of Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev.
“Yes, definitely, he’s just started to reach these levels and to win consistently, in big events against top players. The challenge for him will be to confirm himself at this level and in the Grand Slam tournaments, I just hope it doesn’t happen against us (smiling),” added Cervara.
Sinner is in action at this week’s Paris-Bercy Masters, where be up against JJ Wolf or Mackenzie McDonald in the opener.