“Novak, I think, will continue to stay around and be a problem for the top guys,” is what the American ATP legend Jim Courier had to say about the Serbian tennis legend. It has been a while since Nole is keeping himself out of the scenes due to an ongoing injury. Although he gave positive signs with pictures of a vacation in Maldives, things still don’t seem to be settled for him. Amid the ongoing ATP Finals, the semifinalist Casper Ruud didn’t shy out from giving out a firm statement about the Serb’s comeback.

The world no. 1 ATP star Jannik Sinner is on the right path to making history. The Italian superstar has advanced to the ATP Finals championship match, where he will face America’s Taylor Fritz. Sinner has a chance to become the first Italian to win the season-ending tournament. His journey to the final has been nothing short of spectacular with the home crowd actively rooting for him.

Sinner secured his place in the final with a massive 6-1, 6-2 win over Norway’s Casper Ruud in the semifinals. After his defeat, Casper Ruud offered an interesting perspective on Jannik Sinner’s style. The two-time French Open finalist highlighted the striking differences between Sinner and Novak Djokovic. While many may compare their playing styles due to their precision and baseline dominance, Ruud believes the two are vastly different. “No, I don’t think so, in my opinion, because they play different tennis,” Ruud said when asked to compare the two. “I mean, I think on TV it looks probably similar the way they play. But Jannik hits a faster ball than Novak. He doesn’t let you breathe.”

Ruud elaborated on how Sinner’s relentless pace sets him apart from Djokovic. He explained that with Djokovic, players can engage in longer rallies and anticipate the rhythm of play. “With Novak, you can play rallies,” Ruud said. “Not going to say it’s easier to play Novak because he’s the best in history. At least with Novak, you can play more rallies and not be terrified of Novak ripping, like, a bomb down the line or cross-court or these things.” According to Ruud, Sinner’s speed and aggression can only be fully appreciated when seen live. “For me, you don’t realize how fast Jannik plays unless you watch him play live,” he added.

His powerful baseline game and intensity left Ruud struggling to find answers. Sinner expressed his delight after the match. “I’m very happy with today’s performance,” he said. “I’m very happy to be in the final.” The win showcased why Sinner has been one of the most dominant players this season, and he will be eager to continue his winning momentum.

Sinner, who lost last year’s final to Novak Djokovic, feels better prepared this time. The 22-year-old believes his growth as a player will help him handle the pressure. “I feel like I have more experience,” he said. “I’ve grown as a player, and hopefully tomorrow is going to be a good day.” The stage is set for an electrifying final as Sinner looks to claim a historic victory in front of his home fans. Ruud might feel Sinner is faster, but Carlos Alcaraz still thinks there is nobody as effective as Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz backs Novak Djokovic for a strong comeback in 2025

Carlos Alcaraz has expressed confidence in Novak Djokovic’s anticipated bounce back in the upcoming season. Despite Djokovic enduring a rare title-less year in 2024, Alcaraz believes the Serbian legend cannot be written off. It was the first time since 2017 that Djokovic failed to win a Grand Slam and only his maiden Olympic gold stood out in a challenging year. Yet, Alcaraz highlighted that Djokovic would still be a strong force and one of the top contenders for the Australian Open title next year.

Speaking to reporters during the ATP Finals, Alcaraz highlighted Djokovic’s unmatched ability to perform even after extended breaks. “A really dangerous player,” Alcaraz said. “We’ve seen before that it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t play an official match for two, three, four months because he’s going to come again and be able to win the tournament, be able to show a really high level of tennis. If he goes to Australia hungry, he’s going to be one of the favourites to win Australia.”

Alcaraz also pointed out the advantage Djokovic will have after an extended period away from competition. “He’s going to be fresh, for sure. A lot of time with his family. He’s had time to practice a lot, which is pretty good for a tennis player coming to a tournament with motivations. It’s going to be fun to watch, for sure.” With Djokovic’s hunger and preparation, it is highly expected that he would once again bring in a complete show for the fans.