Jannik Sinner is solidifying his reputation as a tennis sensation. After an extraordinary season, he reached the pinnacle of the ATP rankings and stepped up for the Italian national team as well, helping them clinch their third Davis Cup title, and second in a row. With victories at both the Australian Open and US Open, along with an undefeated run at the ATP Finals and three Masters 1000 titles, Sinner is making waves. Is there a way out for his opponents?

Adriano Panatta, the former Italian tennis pro, has been vocal about Sinner’s prowess on the court. He previously praised Sinner’s skills, likening him to the legendary Big Three with comments like, “He is a complete tennis player, with a mentality that allows him to no longer fear anyone.”

Panatta has now called Sinner’s ATP Finals performance “boring.” Well, it’s not a criticism, but the Italian just expressed disappointment that Sinner didn’t face tougher competition from players like Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic, stating, “Sinner played a normal and routine match and that was enough for him. It’s boring.”

Following Sinner’s impressive Davis Cup victory, Panatta could not hide his admiration. Seeing the young Italian dominate his opponents on the court, he humorously remarked: “If Sinner continues like this, we will have to give a handicap to the opponents.” In the final battle in the Davis Cup, Matteo Berrettini set the tone for Italy with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 win over Botic van de Zandschulp. This paved the way for Sinner to shine. After a challenging first set against Griekspoor, Sinner found his rhythm and secured the match 7-6 (2), 6-2.

While Panatta anticipates that Sinner’s opponents may soon require advantages on the court, it’s worth noting that even in the earlier parts of Sinner’s career, some players felt overwhelmed by Sinner’s skill.

Sinner has made opponents rethink their career paths in the past

Back in 2019, a young Jannik Sinner made waves in the tennis world when he upset Steve Johnson at the Italian Open. At just 17 years old and ranked No. 263, Sinner faced the seasoned American, who was then in the top 60. Despite losing the first set 1-6, Sinner rallied back to win 1-6, 6-1, 7-5, clinching victory after Johnson served for the match at one stage.

The defeat left Johnson feeling so embarrassed that he contemplated retirement. Reflecting on that match on his Nothing Major podcast, he admitted, “I don’t know if you guys ever felt this, you play like a local wildcard or a hometown kid and there are different feelings you have.”

Fast forward to this season. Taylor Fritz faced the daunting challenge of playing against Jannik Sinner, and it didn’t go well for him. Despite steadily climbing the ranks and defeating tough opponents like Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, Fritz fell short against Sinner at both the ATP Finals and during his first Grand Slam final at the 2024 US Open.

Their encounters showcased Sinner’s dominance, leaving Fritz to ponder what it takes to overcome such a formidable player. What makes Sinner such a tough competitor that experts like Panatta think his opponents are almost at disadvantage playing against him? Share your thoughts in the comments below!