What a season it has been! Times have changed, as after 22 years, a full calendar year went by without any of the big 3 claiming even a single Grand Slam title. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominated the showdown over the season, winning 2 Grand Slams each. However, the last Grand Slam of the season has put Sinner in the category of some of the legends of the sport, because of an incredible record that he has made. And Jimmy Connors couldn’t be happier to welcome him into the league of the champions!

When the direction of the wind changes, legacies are created. It happened when Connors and the others established themselves. And when Connors put his racquet down, Roger Federer entered the circuit a few years later, followed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. But now, as the dominance of the Big 3 is coming to an end, Sinner and Alcaraz’s generation is all set to take over the scene. During a recent episode of the podcast Advantage Connors, Brett (Jimmy’s son) highlighted some facts that had the tennis legend delighted.

Jannik Sinner claimed both the opening and the concluding Grand Slam of the season. However, that’s not all. He became one of the youngest tennis players to do so, thus standing with the likes of Jimmy Connors, Novak Djokovic, Mats Wilander, and Guillermo Vilas. Brett shared this with his father, as he said, “Sinner, the youngest player to win both the Australian Open and US Open in the same year since somebody I know, Jimmy Connors, 22 years six days is the youngest, back in 1974.” 

Sinner might have done it at 23 years of age, as compared to Connor who did it when he was only 22, but it’s still an amazing feat for the Italian star. Connors appreciated the young talent, as he said, “I’m in good company. Put me in company with him. I don’t mind that… Pretty Excited!”

Furthermore, the father-son duo went on to discuss Sinner’s perseverance during the US Open. The doping controversy involving Sinner had sparked a heated debate on social media. The World No. 1, however, soaked in all the criticism and silenced the critics with a phenomenal run at Flushing Meadows, beating Taylor Fritz in the final and winning the title.

Brett Connors praises Jannik Sinner’s approach at the US Open

It was a rollercoaster ride for the 23-year-old at the US Open. Despite the doping saga coming to the fore right before the tournament, drawing him immense criticism, Sinner kept his cool as he tackled the opponents with ease. And while concluding their US Open analysis, the Connors didn’t forget to praise Sinner’s perseverance.

Jimmy Connors’ son Brett said, “Sinner kept his head down. You know we have been talking last week, the scandal doping stuff. He was able to block that out, probably because he has been blocking it out for months. His team knew about it after he tested positive at the Indian well, and then he had to deal with it and then it came out. He just kept his head down and played the best tennis.” 

This year has been the year of transition in the tennis circuit. While Djokovic completed his collection with the elusive Olympic Gold, the youngsters reigned supreme at the Grand Slams. And for Jannik Sinner, it was a yin-yang story. Hopefully, he will carry the momentum into the remaining part of the season and finish the season on a high, as all is well that ends well!