Home Tennis John McEnroe on Jannik Sinner: His Backhand Shot Reminds Me of Novak Djokovic’s Mastery

John McEnroe on Jannik Sinner: His Backhand Shot Reminds Me of Novak Djokovic’s Mastery

John McEnroe on Jannik Sinner: His Backhand Shot Reminds Me of Novak Djokovic’s Mastery
John McEnroe sees Novak Djokovic's influence in Jannik Sinner's game, praising his backhand and strategic gameplay.

Jannik Sinner maintained his impressive form at Wimbledon with a straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Vukic in the second round. After an easy win against Luca Nardi in the first round, Sinner dominated his first Centre Court match of the tournament, taking the scoreline 6-1, 6-1, 6-3. This result comes as Sinner pursues deeper rounds at the championship, where World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is also advancing comfortably towards a potential fourth Grand Slam title, with Pedro Martinez awaiting him in the next round.

John McEnroe Highlights Sinner’s Court Craft and Backhand

Legendary tennis figure John McEnroe shared his insights on Sinner’s game during a BBC Sport interview, noting that the young Italian player has clearly studied Novak Djokovic’s style. McEnroe emphasized Sinner’s controlled sliding technique and his understanding of court geometry, which places opponents at a tactical disadvantage. He praised Sinner’s backhand, calling it one of the best shots on the tour and pointing out its strong resemblance to Djokovic’s weapon.

Additionally, McEnroe mentioned Sinner’s physical attributes, highlighting his exceptional wingspan despite being around six foot three or four, making it difficult for opponents to find space around him. This extended reach, combined with Sinner’s strategic use of a two-handed backhand, adds to his growing completeness as a player.

John McEnroe
Image of: John McEnroe

McEnroe also noted that Sinner is actively working to improve areas such as volleying and drop shots, skills which are essential to his continued development. While Sinner’s drop shot isn’t yet as refined as that of Carlos Alcaraz, McEnroe acknowledged noticeable progress in this facet of his game.

If Carlos plays his A-plus game, I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who can beat him, but if he goes off a little bit and Sinner plays his game, I don’t know if there is anyone who can beat him.

—John McEnroe, Tennis Legend

Potential High-Stakes Matchup: Sinner vs. Djokovic at Wimbledon

Both Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are advancing steadily through Wimbledon, setting the stage for a probable semi-final encounter as some top seeds have already been eliminated. Their rivalry began at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2021, where Djokovic secured a straight-sets win. The Serbian then won their two Wimbledon meetings in 2022 and 2023.

Sinner broke through with his first victory over Djokovic at the 2023 ATP Finals and currently leads their head-to-head 5-4, having triumphed in the last four matches. This developing rivalry adds an intriguing narrative to the tournament as both players demonstrate resilience and skill on the grass courts of London.

The Growing Significance of Sinner’s Progress

Jannik Sinner’s continued evolution underscores his rising status among tennis elites, with John McEnroe’s observations reflecting the respect he commands from the sport’s legends. His improving all-around game and physical advantages suggest he is preparing for greater challenges ahead, especially against dominant players like Djokovic and Alcaraz.

This Wimbledon could mark another critical chapter in Sinner’s career and the ongoing rivalry with Djokovic, providing fans with exciting matchups and a glimpse of the future leaders of men’s tennis.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is John McEnroe a millionaire?

A. The 66-year-old’s income from the BBC is only a small part of his overall wealth. Over five decades, McEnroe has built an estimated net worth of around £90 million.

Q. How rich is John McEnroe?

A. His recent earnings are slightly less than last year’s £205,000. At 66, his BBC pay is just a small part of his large fortune. McEnroe’s estimated net worth is about £90 million, gathered over fifty years in the spotlight.

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