Former Russian tennis player Nikolay Davydenko believes
Italy’s
Jannik Sinner still lacks ‘something’ before he can outland the current
world number one
Novak Djokovic.
The 22-year-old is regarded as one the most highly-rated young
players currently playing in the circuit alongside Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and
America’s Ben Shelton. Davydenko was recently quoted in a report where he highlighted
where Sinner is still lacking.
“I saw live how he plays and trains, he is really a great
worker. He is also trying to change his game. He slides, moves well, is
physically strong and stable. He’s fantastic at this and I think that if his
level continues like this, it will surely help improve on his results from
2023.
“But he still lacks something and it is difficult to endure
an entire season relying only on willpower. He can produce a great tournament,
a great match, but to last the whole season like Djokovic he has to be able to
do something else. Maybe something psychological."
Sinner had a fabulous year at the highest level, especially
in the second half where he played a key role in helping Italy in securing the
Davis Cup title for the first time in more than four decades.
During the same period, the current world number four
managed to defeat Djokovic twice in one week. One of those victories came in
the semifinal of the Davis Cup where Sinner managed to save three match points.
