As much as his tennis potential has been appreciated for years, the emergence of Jannik Sinner in the last twelve months has been overwhelming, making him a virtually unassailable player at this moment. Let's review the determining aspects of this new status as the undisputed best player in the world.
A constant evolution supported by hard work, maximum ambition, and impeccable work ethic. Those are the qualities that the greatest tennis players in history possess, and Jannik Sinner has been demonstrating for a while now that he abundantly possesses these virtues. This is evidenced by the tremendous progression seen in his tennis in 2024. It is not a result of chance, but of well-established foundations years ago and a sublime ability to translate all the work done, exceeding even the expectations. But what has changed in his game in the last year to become the best?
1. Physical strengthening and feline agility in his movements
What stands out most about Sinner's tennis when seen live is the explosiveness and fluidity in his lateral movements, with an incredible ability to make strong steps that allow him to hit the ball without losing ground. He has gained muscle mass in both his lower and upper body without losing any of his agility, enabling him to hold his ground when under attack.
2. Subtle and effective technical adjustments in the serve
Small changes can have significant consequences. A slight modification in the Italian's serving mechanics has made him a much more consistent and effective server. The back foot, which he uses to generate momentum to move past the body in the service motion, starts from a position with the heel raised, allowing Sinner to gain more height with his jump and consequently hit the ball higher. He has gained fluidity and naturalness in his mechanics.
3. Ability to change directions and incorporate new elements into his tennis
If there was something to criticize about the Italian in his early stages, it was the lack of solid down-the-line shots and the overuse of crosscourt shots that, no matter how fast and deep they were, were not as decisive as his down-the-line shots are now. With both his forehand and backhand, he has gained much ease in changing directions. The acquired confidence has improved his net game, daring to approach the net much more and even attempting drop shots when advancing to the net.
4. Offensive will and ability to sustain a very high ball pace
He generates a constant discomfort in his opponents with his ability to accelerate the ball and play with depth, achieving an extremely high ball pace without taking on too many risks. He plays with margin and overwhelms, which undermines his opponents' morale and demonstrates that he is on a higher level of power and solidity.
5. Mental maturity and ability to raise the level in crucial moments
Only the greatest are capable of offering their best version when most needed, and that is something the Italian has repeatedly done this year. Being able to handle all the pressure generated by his doping positives demonstrates the level of confidence and maturity of a man with a bombproof mentality.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las 5 grandes claves para entender la mejoría de Sinner en 2024