Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has achieved enormous success in the last few months as the 22-year-old has won big titles. While Sinner ended the 2023 season by winning the Davis Cup Finals for his nation, the Italian clinched his maiden Grand Slam title at the start of the 2024 season.
Sinner also went on to win the Rotterdam Open and then the Miami Open. The Italian was flawless on his way to the title win, as he dropped only one set. The 22-year-old Italian was also close to winning the title in Indian Wells but was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Adriano Panatta (Images via Imago)
Now, Adriano Panatta has talked about this new rivalry on the ATP Tour. The former Italian has declared that only Alcaraz will be able to challenge Sinner in the long run, looking at the way the 22-year-old Italian is playing. The Italian legend also feels that Alcaraz and Sinner’s rivalry will be like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal‘s.
Everyone, except one: Carlos Alcaraz. Not only because he is the only one to have beaten him this year, but because he is two years younger and is an exceptional tennis player. Today perhaps Sinner is superior to him, but only slightly. The tennis of the future will be played between the two of them, they are the new Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.Adriano Panatta said to Ubitennis.
Adriano Panatta wants no “fanaticism” around Jannik Sinner
As Jannik Sinner continues to make headlines with his performances on the court, there is also a buzz about his personal life. Amid all the talks, Adriano Panatta has asked people not to fanaticize everything about the youngster.
While Panetta admits that everyone in the country is looking up to him, such fanaticism might put added pressure on Sinner. The Italian tennis legend feels that what is happening to Sinner is not normal, but people should refrain from putting added pressure on the youngster.
Certain things must be taken more lightly, sometimes I see too much fanaticism around him. There is no need because he risks going against Jannik's education, maturity and management of pressure. We are talking about an excellent model, many are taking him as an example and what is happening to him doesn't happen every day.Adriano Panatta said
The 73-year-old also talks about not focusing on Sinner’s personal life as it does not concern anyone.
Then his private life does not concern us, I have never allowed myself to make positive or negative judgments on someone's life. We are not all the same: Each player has his soul, his character and his personality.Adriano Panatta further stated
Notably, Sinner himself declared that he prefers not to reveal about his personal life on social media. However, with the Italian youngster creating a buzz with his on-court performances, fans are curious to know more about his life away from the tennis court.
Nevertheless, Sinner has been successful in keeping his personal life secret. The 22-year-old instead is focused on excelling on the court with the clay season set to kick off in a few weeks.