Thomas Fabbiano Compares Jannik Sinner to Novak Djokovic

Italian tennis player Thomas Fabbiano has lavished praise on countrymate and fallen finalist at the Miami Open, Jannik Sinner. Currently ranked 172nd in singles, Fabbiano said watching Sinner play reminds of 18-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

The 19-year-old, who had a dream run to the Miami final, went down in straight sets to Pole Hubert Hurkacz in the championship clash on Sunday.

Thomas Fabbiano says that the speed that Jannik Sinner generates on his shots represents tennis of the future

By virtue of reaching his first career Masters 1000 final, Sinner rose to 23rd in the ATP rankings.

Speaking to an Italian publication, 31-year-old Fabbiano said though Sinner’s style of play merits parallels with the Serb, the speed that he generates on his shots represents “tennis of the future”.

“Jannik looks like the Serbian (Djokovic), but with a ball speed that reflects the tennis of the future,” Fabbiano said.

(Quotes have been translated via Google)

Jannik Sinner outplayed some heavyweights on way to reaching Miami Open 2021 final

Though the Miami main draw was shorn of big names this year, including the Big Three – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – Sinner outplayed some heavyweight opponents on his way to reaching the tournament final.

The 19-year-old opened his campaign with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over promising Frenchman Hugo Gaston. He then got the better of the likes of experienced Russian Karen Khachanov in the third round, Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in the quarter-final and current World No.11 Roberto Bautista Agut in the last four.

Though not entirely outplayed in the title clash against Hurkacz, Sinner conceded some costly errors in key moments which turned the tide in his opponent’s favor.

Seen as the next big thing in men’s tennis, the Italian won his maiden Tour title at the Next-Gen ATP Finals at Sofia in Bulgaria last year. He followed up with his first title this year at the Melbourne 1 tune-up event ahead of the Australian Open.

Read More: Jannik Sinner Rues Losing “Big Opportunity” to Win Miami Open 2021 in Absence of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

Fabbiano, who has memories of training with young Sinner, said he did have high hopes for him but didn’t expect him to take such rapid strides in professional tennis.