“Always a Dream”: Jannik Sinner Expresses Admiration for Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray

Rising Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has revealed his admiration for the ‘Big Four’, saying that he grew up watching Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray in action.

The 19-year-old Sinner made a heroic fightback from being a set down to send Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut packing and seal his maiden passage to a Masters 1000 final.

Sinner says while he has only played Nadal, he has sparred with Federer, Djokovic, and Murray

Sinner has become the first teenager since Djokovic in 2007 to make the Miami final.

Asked who his biggest influencers in the game were during a post-match interview, the current World Number 31 said, “Obviously, the Big Three…it was the Big Four, with Andy as well.” He revealed that he had long nestled and nurtured a dream to someday play the elite of contemporary men’s tennis.

“It was always a dream playing against these guys,” the Italian said, adding that he has yet to fulfil his dream as he has only played a competitive game against Nadal till now. However, he revealed that he has sparred with Federer, Djokovic and Murray in practice and it had been a pleasure.

Jannik Sinner says experience gained from playing and sparring with Big Four helps him grow as a player

Touted as the next big thing in the men’s game, Sinner lifted his maiden Tour title, the Next-Gen ATP Finals, in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, last year. He followed up with his second in the Melbourne 1 hard court event ahead of the Australian Open this year.

His clash with Nadal came at last year’s French Open, and the Italian won wholesome praise for taking the ‘King of Clay’ to a tie-break in the opening set.

Sinner said that the experience he has gained by playing and sparring with the Big Four will help him grow as a player in future years. “This kind of stuff can help you a lot,” said the Italian, who will play in-form Pole Hubert Hurkacz for the championship.

Hurkacz pulled off two of his biggest wins on Tour against World Number 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas and the eighth-ranked Andrey Rublev to reach the final.

The title showdown will also be unique in the sense that it will have two players who are currently outside the Top-10 in singles.

Read More: WOW! Jannik Sinner Joins Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in an Incredible Record at Miami Open After Battling Past Roberto Bautista Agut