Jannik Sinner was set to be a Grand Slam champion after two defining matches says Richard Krajicek

Former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek expressed the opinion that Jannik Sinner's two victories at the end of 2023 were a demonstration that he could win a Grand Slam. The Italian has just won his first major at the Australian Open, coming back from two sets down against Daniil Medvedev.

Sinner also surprised the 10-time champion Novak Djokovic and ended Djokovic's streak of 33 consecutive victories in Melbourne. Krajicek commented on Ubitennis about two crucial victories at the end of 2023 that marked Sinner's significant progress in his aspirations.

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Krajicek's reflections on Sinner’s succes

Krajicek mentioned that while he doesn't know Sinner closely, he met him a few years ago, and it was already expected that he would become a great player: “I don’t know him very well, I met him years ago in Monte Carlo when he was very young and [Riccardo] Piatti told me: “this will be a champion”, and he was right,” the 52-year-old said.

“I know that he participated in an event in the centre of Turin with Alcaraz and there was a huge crowd, last year the attention was almost only for Alcaraz. I think the two of them are the most loved young people at the moment.

“I also know his agent well, Lawrence Frankopan, who is a delightful person and only works with players who are equally delightful.”

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According to the Dutchman, the victory in the Vienna Open final against Daniil Medvedev and the comeback against Novak Djokovic in the Davis Cup, where he saved three match points against, "made it clear" Sinner's ability to be a major champion. He also expressed his opinion on the only issue in the game of the current world No. 4.

“I think he has had great growth, evident with the victory in Vienna and the match in Davis [Cup] against Djokovic where he won with three match points against him. For me, those two games made it clear that he could win a Slam.”

“As a player, well he’s a great player. The only doubts could have been on a physical level, last year he was tired in Rotterdam for the final the previous week but you could see that in the final against Medvedev his legs didn’t work,” Krajicek continued.

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