Novak Djokovic feels that the young Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner will lead the 'Next Gen' players with the potential to be future world number one, As the Serbian said after ensuring he finished the year as number one in the ATP ranking after his victory against Borna Coric this Wednesday in Vienna.
Djokovic saved four set points in the first set against Coris to win 7-6 (11), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals in the Austrian capital.
That means the 17 Grand Slam winner has been the only one to equal Pete Sampras' record of finishing the year No. 1 for the sixth time. although Rafa Nadal accepts an invitation to play in Sofia next month.
Sinner, 19, won the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2019 and currently occupies his highest all-time ranking at 43rd place.to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros this month.
“I'm definitely seeing a lot of quality in young players. Sinner has a very powerful, high-quality game and has the potential to be one of the best in the world, “said Djokovic.
“Sinner is the leader of these guys younger than Zverev and Tsitsipaswho will be, according to experts, the next top players. “
The 23-year-old German Zverev reached the final of the US Open in New York and is one year older than the Greek Tsitsipas, although both won the last two editions of the ATP Finals, the great tennis tournament behind the Grand Slam.
Djokovic believes that Zverev and Tsitsipas are already players who have established themselves in the elite and that they need to maintain their performance for a while to reach the top. “Many things have to be put together in the career and in the life of a tennis player so that he is able to find his best level and give his maximum potential every year. Also, you have to hold on, because I think you can have a chance to win a Grand Slam or have a great season. But can you last four, five, 10 or 15 years? “ the Serbian said.