"Now the strongest of all": Jannik Sinner handed Pete Sampras comparison by Italian tennis legend

Jannik Sinner has been compared to the great Pete Sampras and has been told that he will likely break most of the records set by the great Nicola Pietrangeli.

Sinner has enjoyed an incredible 2024. He won both the Australian Open and US Open and has become World No.1. He has shared Grand Slams also with Carlos Alcaraz who many see him dominating the sport alongside in the future.

“What do you want me to say, my friend Laver was someone like that: the more complicated the situation got, the more he was able to get out of trouble,” he is quoted as saying by Ubitennis.com.

“I understand it may be a cumbersome comparison, Rod at the moment remains something unattainable, but Jannik has the mental strength of the greatest champions. And in some ways he reminds me of Sampras.”

“Sinner is now the strongest of all, the numbers and the level of his tennis show it, in my opinion when he is well he is unbeatable,” he continued. “Perhaps only Carlos Alcaraz can bother him, for the others I don’t see any chance.

“In the next few years I foresee a duel with the Spaniard to win the most important tournaments. The others are far from their level, especially now that [Novak] Djokovic, due to his age, is inevitably declining. I would have liked to see Sinner with the Big Three at their best, we would have seen some great things.”

But also after being told that he is envious of Sinner, he shared his hopes that he breaks all of his records and believes there is only one he wouldn't break.

“I am not envious of Jannik as someone wrote, I hope he breaks all my records and I am sure he will succeed. He will have to watch out for injuries but if he can stay healthy he will still take huge satisfaction,” he continued.

“The only record he won’t be able to take away from me is that of Davis Cup appearances and victories, partly because far fewer matches are now played in this competition.”