21-Year-Old Jannik Sinner Picks His Favorite Roger Federer Moment and Dishes Out the Difficulties of a Surface That the Swiss Maestro Conquered Time and Time Again

Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner, known for his determination and skill, is ready to silence his critics and regain his confidence on the grass courts as he prepares for the prestigious Wimbledon Championships. Recently, Sinner opened up about his favorite moment from the illustrious career of the legendary Roger Federer in an interview.

In the past, Jannik Sinner has expressed his deep admiration for the tennis icon. In a press conference last year, Sinner confessed his ultimate goal of emulating Federer’s style. He even revealed that if he could be any other tennis player, he would choose to be Roger Federer. Sinner praised Federer’s unmatched versatility and finesse, highlighting his remarkable ability to handle any on-court situation with ease.

Reflecting on Roger Federer’s glorious moment: Australian Open 2017

While preparing for the Halle ATP 500 event in Germany, Sinner shared his encounter with the legendary Roger Federer during his training in Monaco. Although the opportunity to face Federer did not materialize, Sinner expressed his delight at having the chance to engage in conversation with the Swiss maestro.

“Last week I trained in Monaco and I saw him there, it was strange. It was unfortunate that I couldn’t face him, but it’s always nice to talk to Roger,” Sinner revealed to the Italian newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport, reported by tennisworldusa.

When asked about his favorite moment from Federer’s career, Sinner acknowledged the difficulty of choosing just one. However, he ultimately selected Federer’s victory in the Australian Open in 2017. Sinner’s admiration for Federer’s achievements is evident as he stated, “Favorite moment of his career? Difficult to choose one, but I would say the victory in Australia in 2017. Which player comes to mind when I think of grass? Federer, of course.”

While Sinner gears up for the highly anticipated Halle ATP 500 event, he remains focused on regaining his confidence and honing his skills on grass. Despite recent disappointments, the young Italian remains undeterred, drawing motivation from his strong position in the Race to Turin, where he currently holds a spot in the top 10. At just 21 years old, Sinner possesses immense potential and believes he can excel on grass with the right mindset and preparation.

Sinner’s determination to excel on grass: The Halle ATP 500 journey

Despite acknowledging the unique challenges posed by grass courts, Sinner remains optimistic about his prospects. Reflecting on his breakthrough performance at Wimbledon last year, where he initially had low expectations, Sinner grew in confidence as he progressed through the rounds. “Before Wimbledon last year, I had always lost on this surface. I arrived at the tournament with no expectations, then step by step I grew. Now in my head I know that I can play well on grass,” Sinner shared.

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Sinner understands that success on grass relies heavily on mental fortitude rather than sheer physical prowess. With shorter rallies and faster gameplay, players must remain mentally sharp and seize every opportunity that comes their way. “It affects more mentally than physically. There are not many exchanges, you have to be ready and have a quick reaction time. But above all you have to take advantage of the opportunities and, if this doesn’t happen, move on immediately.”

Looking ahead to the Halle ATP 500, Sinner aims to incorporate a more aggressive approach. Sinner is set to compete against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 16 at Owl Arena, Halle, Germany.

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