Is Jannik Sinner the Tennis Heir of Roger Federer? Enticing Parallel Makes It Hard to Deny

Jannik Sinner has been in scintillating form at the first Grand Slam of the season. His SF victory over the world no.1, Novak Djokovic, at the AO has not only drawn praise from several experts of the game but also has shattered quite a few records.

The famous tennis author Bastien Fachan recently drew a parallel between Jannik Sinner and Roger Federer ahead of his first major final appearance. Can Sinner win his first Grand Slam title on his 17th attempt?

Jannik Sinner is on the verge of a milestone achievement 

The 22-year-old Italian defeated the 10-time AO champion 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday. With this win, he has not only sealed his spot in the Australian Open finals but also broken Novak Djokovic’s 33-match unbeaten run at the AO. This was Djokovic’s first loss in the semifinals at the AO. After handing that loss to him, can Sinner put his name alongside the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, on Sunday?

Bastien Fachan brought this incredible record to light. “It just struck me that Jannik Sinner could win his first Grand Slam at his 17th attempt. You know who else won their first Grand Slam at their 17th attempt? That’s right – Roger Federer.” Since this new generation of players has come up, fans have called Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Holger Rune the next ‘Big Three.’ With the comparisons between Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal already, Sinner could very well kickstart comparisons to Federer if he achieves this feat.

This will be the first final at the Australian Open without the ‘Big Three’ since 2005. Sinner ensured this happened and, in doing so, achieved other feats as well. He is now one of the only three players – alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – to defeat Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam, Davis Cup, and the ATP Finals.

Sinner has won 18 out of his 19 sets at the AO this year and has become the first Italian to reach the finals of the ‘Happy Slam.’ No other Italian male player had defeated a World No.1 at the Grand Slam level. Also, he is now the youngest male singles finalist at the AO since Novak Djokovic in 2008. His incredible achievements have now made many draw comparisons with other stars of the game. And they’re not just limited to Roger Federer.

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Nick Kyrgios made another Sinner comparison before the AO final

The Australian tennis star said Jannik Sinner could be the new Novak Djokovic. Kyrgios heaped praise on his coach and said, “The changes [his coach, Darren Cahill] has made in his [Sinner’s] game, and the willingness for Sinner to give him a try has now elevated him to the top of the sport. He’s beaten Novak – no one has done [that] here in so long. In that fashion as well, Novak didn’t even create one break point.”

He added, “I love the fact that Sinner compared and said that he and Novak play similarly, and I can see it. After today, I think Sinner could be the new Novak.” Be it a parallel with Roger Federer or becoming the new Novak Djokovic, Sinner would certainly make his mark as a champion in the making if he wins his first Grand Slam. Is Sunday the day it happens for the 22-year-old Italian star?

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