“Good if Roger Federer Never Quits”: Jannik Sinner Hopes to Play Against His Idol

The 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals winner has found his place in the Top 40 tennis players at 19. Italian Jannik Sinner won his maiden ATP title at the 2020 Sofia Open, becoming the youngest player since Kei Nishikori (2008). Amidst the Big Three, the 19-year-old has faced Rafael Nadal and desires to play Roger Federer next.

Sinner had an incredible 2020 season, despite the outbreak induced challenges and fewer matches. The Italian recorded the highest-ranking jump in the season from No. 78 to No. 37. In terms of Grand Slams, he reached his first major tournament quarterfinals at the 2020 French Open. Nadal defeated the youngest debutant quarterfinalist of the decade in three straight sets.

The promising future of tennis, Jannik also achieved his first victory against a Top 10 player after going up against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas. At the Italian Open, the home country player caused an upset to World No. 6 in their Round of 32 match. As for next year, the 19 years-old wants to compete against his idol, the Swiss maestro, before he retires.

“It would be good if Roger Federer never quit”: Sinner

Federer has been the inspiration behind many tennis players, and the Italian teenager is one of them. When talking about his goals for the next season, Sinner remained specific only about playing against World No. 5.

Jannik said, “I don’t like to set too specific goals too much in advance. The important thing is to improve: I know I have a lot of room.  After challenging Nadal in Paris, who I would like to face in first between Djokovic and Federer? Maybe Roger, because he is my idol and because I’m afraid that in three or four years he will have retired, even if it would be good if he never quit.”

(Quotes have been translated)

Read More: Rafael Nadal to Train with Stan Wawrinka, Schwartzman and Sinner During Quarantine at Australian Open 2021

Federer and Sinner might face each other at the Australian Open 2021

The 39-year-old has been very keen about his 2 comeback in Melbourne Park. Previously, Roger has won six Australian Open titles and has started preparations in Dubai for his 7. This might be the Italian’s big chance to fulfill his desire to play against the 20 times Grand Slam champion.

On an interesting note, the Italian will train with Federer’s arch-rival Nadal during quarantine in Australia. Will those training sessions come in handy if Sinner meets his idol in the opening Grand Slam of 2021?

Also Read: How the Delayed Australian Open 2021 Helps Roger Federer?