Jannik Sinner: David Ferrer backs Italian as future world No. 1, praises Carlos Alcaraz's 'spectacular game'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 20/04/2023 at 08:44 GMT
Jannik Sinner has been one of the standout players this season the ATP Tour, recently making the final of the Miami Open and semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters. The world No. 8 has been tipped to get to the top of the world rankings by Barcelona Open tournament director David Ferrer, who has also spoken about Carlos Alcaraz's 'spectacular game' and Rafael Nadal's status.
Highlights: Rune overcomes Sinner and a rain delay to reach Monte Carlo final
David Ferrer has tipped Jannik Sinner as a future world No. 1 and says he is the young player who impresses him the most.
World No. 8 Sinner is enjoying a strong season, winning one title in Montpellier and making finals in Rotterdam and Miami, as well as the semi-finals in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo.
His rivalry with world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz has also continued to flourish and looks like it could be one of the standout match-ups on the ATP Tour for years to come.
The head-to-head record currently stands at 3-3 after Sinner avenged his semi-final loss to Alcaraz in Indian Wells by winning in three sets at the same stage in Miami.
Former world No. 3 Ferrer has been impressed by Sinner’s progress – and is excited by his potential.
"I consider Jannik a very good player who is improving every year, reaching his goals, and I am sure he will have his chances to win a Grand Slam and become No. 1,” he told Flashscore.
“In fact, among the young players he is the one who impresses me the most because of the power of his shots and his margin for improvement, which is still very wide."
Asked whether Sinner v Alcaraz could be the great rivalry of the future, Ferrer added: “It could be, but there is no shortage of good players out there.
“There is also Sebastian Korda, who is improving all the time. But at the moment, yes, these are two players who have a clear idea of what their goal is and are very ambitious.
“From this point of view it is a good rivalry because, moreover, they are both good people and I like that. They are humble, respectful and the fact that players of this level are like this is good for the sport in general.”
Sinner and Alcaraz could clash again at this week’s Barcelona Open, where Ferrer is tournament director.
Alcaraz is defending champion and the star name in the draw following the withdrawal of fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal due to injury.
"He has charisma, he is close to the crowd and, above all, he has a really spectacular game, with a lot of power,” Ferrer said of Alcaraz.
“He is also a player who has fun on the court and people notice that.
“He is already No. 1 and the youngest ever to win a Grand Slam. He is breaking one record after another. I don't want to compare him to Nadal, [Novak] Djokovic or [Roger] Federer because their shadow is very difficult to match. But without a doubt he will be a player who will mark an era in Spanish and world tennis.”
Ferrer himself lost in the final of the Barcelona Open four times, on each occasion to Nadal.
“One of the best without a doubt,” Ferrer said about Nadal.
“But I would also put Novak Djokovic on the same scale. It's true that I couldn't even beat Roger Federer, but I think these two players are different from all the others I've played against.”
- - -
Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement