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Can Jannik Sinner use Davis Cup triumph against Djokovic as springboard to next level? | Tennis News

With its revamped, commercialised format and presence at the fag end of an already bloated competitive tennis season, the modern-day significance of the Davis Cup has been in question for a few years now.But Jannik Sinner – the 22-year-old World No. 4 who powered Italy to a first Davis Cup title in 47 years on Sunday – had the kind of week that proved this unique competition’s ability as a platform for players to announce themselves on the big stage, as they contend with watchful expectations of representing their country and played for a team rather than just themselves.
Italy defeated Australia in the final, and it was Sinner who would provide the winning moment, putting in a ruthless performance to blow past Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-0 and bring the title home. Yet, the final will not be the defining moment of the week.
Sinner displayed nerves of steel to make sure there were no hiccups against De Minaur, even though it came less than 24 hours after one of the most pivotal moments of his young career so far, as he defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, coming back from the jaws of defeat in the singles rubber, and then beat him again in doubles, to single-handedly trounce Serbia, the pre-event favourites.
Proving that he is well worth the hype that has swirled around his game since he was a teenager, not only did he get past Djokovic in a high-pressure, must-win match, he did so despite being triple match point down and under the pump. It was the Serb’s first Davis Cup singles defeat since 2011.
Tennis – Davis Cup – Final – Australia v Italy – Palacio de deportes Martin Carpena, Malaga, Spain – November 26, 2023 Italy’s Jannik Sinner in action during his singles match against Australia’s Alex de Minaur. (REUTERS)
Prodigious talent
Sinner’s tall and skinny frame, unassuming persona, and floppy red hair does not quite portray the image of the ferocious ball-striker that he has developed into over the years. Capable of doing damage from the baseline from both wings – especially with his at times devastating backhand – Sinner mixes force with agility and balance, perhaps traits he developed as an ace junior skier.
Ever since he reached the quarterfinal of the 2020 French Open, on debut, at the age of 19, expectations have surrounded the realisation of his talent. The larger tennis world has been excited his play, and his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, which is often seen as ushering the men’s game into the future. Both Sinner and Alcaraz have played some of their captivating best against each other, including an all-time classic five-set US Open quarterfinal in 2022, followed a high-quality semifinal at the Miami Open this year.
But there have also been frailties. The Italian’s body has taken time to catch up with his talent, and as he has grown into his frame, with the pressures of a relentless tennis tour, injuries have derailed a lot of the progress. There is also a perceived mental fragility – that he is unable to produce his best at the most important moments and win crunch matches against the very best. The epic against Alcaraz in New York, for example, could have been a routine four-set victory had he taken his chances.
Dealing with a GOAT
His biggest strengths and weaknesses were on display in his two ties against Djokovic in Turin at the ATP Finals. He arrived at their group stage match with a big backhand, physical resilience, and a sharp first serve. He contended with his superior opponent in the moments that went against him, and asserted his authority when he was on top. He prevailed in three gruelling sets, snapping Djokovic’s 19-match winning streak that stretched back to Wimbledon.
But in the return fixture, the one that mattered, the final of a big tournament where Djokovic is most at ease, the Serb did what he does. He improved the finer margins, served phenomenally, and gave very little away. That mental fragility seemed to return as Sinner folded in straight sets despite the support of a raucous home crowd.

In case you missed it…
The first player to win after three consecutive Novak Djokovic match points 🫡#DavisCupFinals | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/9CS5Z64nFW
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 25, 2023
The following week at the Davis Cup, Djokovic came into their third match in 11 days with a permanent grimace; he had battled an opposition crowd he deemed ‘disrespectful’, and whipped himself into a frenzy over being asked to undergo doping tests 90 minutes before his quarterfinal. Despite needing a win for Italy to stay alive, Sinner was the player at ease as he opened the match unloading massive power on both wings, racing to win the first set 6-2.
Again, Djokovic did what he does. He rode the momentum, raised his game when it matters, won the second set, and was the better player for much of the high-quality third. His laser-like first serve had made sure very few chances were conceded on it, and his commanding returns made sure to create a few openings. They came at the choicest moment.
Sinner was down 4-5, 0-40 in the deciding set. The script had played out before. But Sinner tore it apart.
He served consently and powerfully, pushed Djokovic around the court moving into attacking positions, and wasted no opportunities. Suddenly, with the crowd on his side, he mounted the pressure back on Djokovic and it was the Serb that blinked, missing an easy serve and volley to get broken, from where Sinner served out the biggest win of his life.

Italy won the Davis Cup on Sunday, but Sinner’s greatest personal triumph came on Saturday. With Alcaraz bursting onto the scene the way that he has, Sinner’s slower, more methodical approach to reaching the elite has hardly turned heads. But after braving physical and mental setbacks, improving his technique and serve through coaching changes, his destructive shotmaking, and his steady rise in the rankings, what Sinner needed was the one breakthrough to truly prove he has arrived on the big stage.
As men’s tennis continues to be in a transitional moment, ahead of 2024, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

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