Ben Shelton has highlighted the key attribute of Jannik Sinner’s game that makes it difficult for rivals to challenge him. As Sinner progressed through several tournaments this season, including winning the Australian Open and reaching the finals of the Italian Open and French Open, Shelton pointed to Sinner’s exceptional speed and consistent ball control as his biggest strengths.

Sinner has played three tournaments this season, reaching the finals in each one. He claimed victory over Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final, marking a significant achievement following his return from a three-month doping ban. Shortly after, he also made it to the Italian Open final but was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner then faced Alcaraz twice more, including a thrilling French Open final match where he lost in five sets.

Ben Shelton’s Perspective on Jannik Sinner’s Difficult Playing Style

In his matchup against Sinner during the Australian Open semifinals, Shelton was defeated, bringing their head-to-head record to 1-5 in favor of the World No. 1. Shelton explained what makes Sinner’s game so challenging for players:

“I think what a lot of players struggle with when they play him is that early in the match, his speed can be overwhelming, which was the case with Alcaraz. Once he got used to the speed of the game, he was able to start doing whatever he wanted, but I think that’s the biggest strength with him: the consistent ball speed, the ability to hit the backhand open in his run-up, it’s like having two forehands.”

—Ben Shelton, American Tennis Player

Sinner’s ability to generate fast, precise shots, particularly his backhand that looks like an additional forehand in execution, creates a persistent challenge. Since coming back from the doping suspension, the 23-year-old Italian has dominated matches by delivering consistent performance levels, even handing “bagels” (6-0 sets) to five opponents, including Casper Ruud, a two-time French Open finalist.

A Close Look at the French Open Final Between Sinner and Alcaraz

Jannik Sinner reached the French Open final for the first time in his career, taking an early lead of two sets to none against Carlos Alcaraz. However, the defending champion managed a comeback, securing the third set before saving three championship points in the fourth set tie-break, ultimately forcing a deciding fifth set.

The final moments of the match were extremely tense. The fifth set ended in another tie-breaker, which Alcaraz won, successfully defending his title. Shelton reflected on Alcaraz’s clutch performance in the final, especially during the critical final set:

“Those first six or seven points from Alcaraz, you go back in and you watch those. And that’s some of the most clutch tennis I’ve seen at 6-all on the fifth in my life.”

—Ben Shelton, American Tennis Player

Upcoming Tournaments and What Lies Ahead for Sinner, Shelton, and Alcaraz

Currently competing in Stuttgart, Shelton is aiming for his first grass-court title. He advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Pierre-Hugues Herbert and will face eighth seed Jiri Lehecka, whom he has never played before.

Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, is preparing to defend his grass-court achievements at the Queen’s Club Championships, where he has already won three times. Jannik Sinner will focus on defending his title at the Halle Open, having claimed his first grass-court victory there last year against Hubert Hurkacz.

The grass season will culminate with Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year. Alcaraz will attempt to secure a third consecutive Wimbledon title, having defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the finals the past two years. Sinner, who has not yet reached a Wimbledon final, previously made the semifinals in 2023 and lost a five-set quarterfinal match to Daniil Medvedev in the previous year.

Contextualizing Sinner’s Place Among Tennis Greats and Future Challenges

Had Sinner defeated Alcaraz at the French Open, he would have become the first Italian man to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976. Alcaraz’s victory at Roland Garros made him the third youngest player to capture five major titles, following Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal.

The season’s key matches highlight the intense competition at the top of men’s tennis, with Sinner showing remarkable resilience returning from suspension to fight for titles, and Alcaraz continuing to assert his dominance. Shelton’s insights into Sinner’s skill set demonstrate why so many of Sinner’s opponents find it difficult to compete against him, especially early in matches when his speed and ball control give him a critical edge.

As the tennis calendar progresses, the performances of Sinner, Shelton, and Alcaraz will remain central to the sport’s narrative, particularly through the grass-court season and Wimbledon, where legacy and rankings are at stake.