"There are many players who have decided to retire and that I would have liked to face": Not facing Federer big regret for Sinner

Jannik Sinner never got to face Roger Federer on a tennis court and it's something that he deeply regrets because he would have loved to play him.

Playing Roger Federer was for many tennis players a highlight of their career but it's something Jannik Sinner never got to do. The Italian holds Federer in very high regard however he never faced him on a tennis court. He spent time with him on a tennis court but that was practice and it doesn't really count.

Speaking in a recent interview, the Italian said:

"I played against Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, but I couldn't challenge Roger Federer. There are many players who have decided to retire and that I would have liked to face, such as Juan Martin Del Potro."

Sinner was a promising skier when he was young and for a long time was actually much better at that than at tennis but at 13 he decided to focus on tennis primarily:

"In 2008 I won the Italian giant slalom championship (sci- ed.). In 2012 I finished second. At the time I was better as a skier than as a tennis player, but at 13 I made my decision. Both are very difficult sports to manage from a mental point of view. Skiing has helped me to keep a certain balance on the court."

On his tennis right now, Sinner added:

"Challenges with Novak and Rafa? When you face the best you have a lot of pressure, because you have to play your best tennis to try to be at their level. It's a big challenge. But I think I'm ready. You train to play these games. I have to be patient. Last year I was consistent, now I hope to make a further leap in quality. My natural stroke is the backhand, but I don't think it's perfect.  There are many things to improve."