“We have to be very careful”: Jannik Sinner downplays dominance after extending winning streak

Jannik Sinner continued his dominant run at ATP Masters 1000 level with a controlled 6-3, 6-3 victory over Damir Dzumhur at the Miami Open, extending a sequence that has placed him on the verge of history. The Italian has now won 24 consecutive sets at this level, equalling Novak Djokovic’s all-time record, and stands one set away from setting a new benchmark in the category.

The result also extended Sinner’s winning streak at Masters 1000 events to 12 matches, following his title runs at the Paris Masters and Indian Wells. Across those matches, the World No. 2 has combined consistency with efficiency, dropping just eight points behind his first serve in his Miami opener, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Sinner’s record in Miami further reinforces his comfort at the event. The 24-year-old now holds a 20–3 record at Hard Rock Stadium, his best mark at any Masters 1000 tournament. Having previously reached the final in 2021 and 2023 before lifting the title in 2024, he returned this year after missing the previous edition due to suspension.

Despite the scale of his current run, Sinner’s own assessment remained measured. He acknowledged the difficulty of opening matches and pointed to limited preparation time due to weather interruptions, framing his performance as part of a broader process rather than a statement of dominance.

Sinner described his opening performance as a positive start under challenging circumstances, highlighting both the conditions in Miami and the nature of first-round matches. He emphasised that adapting quickly had been key after limited time on court in the days leading up to the match.

“The first match is never easy. I haven’t had a lot of time to adjust here," the 4-time Grand Slam champion stated in Tennis Channel. "It was raining a lot over the past couple of days, so yesterday we got lucky to have one hour straight on the court. First-round matches are never easy in any case. I’m very happy with today’s performance, and now we’ll see what’s coming.”

Beyond the immediate result, Sinner rejected the idea that his recent dominance creates a clear separation from the rest of the field. While his results suggest a sustained advantage, he indicated that margins remain narrow and that the current level across the tour continues to rise.

“There are many players coming up, and also players who have been on tour for a while. I don’t like to name names, but people are very close. Even if it looks like I’ve been winning and others too, the gap is not that big. We have to be very careful and keep improving.”

That perspective reflects a broader pattern in Sinner’s approach. Rather than framing his run in terms of control over the field, he consistently pointed to areas of improvement within his own game, maintaining a focus on progression rather than outcomes.

“I focus more on myself, what I have to do. When I look at my matches, I still see many areas where I can improve. That’s something positive for me as a player. We try to take it day by day, with recovery but also keeping a good feeling on the court, and then we’ll see how it goes.”

Alongside his own performance, Sinner also addressed the emergence of younger players, singling out Joao Fonseca as one of the most promising names currently rising on the tour. The Brazilian has attracted attention in recent months, and Sinner’s comments added further weight to expectations surrounding his development.

Sinner’s assessment carried particular relevance given recent comparisons between himself, Carlos Alcaraz and Fonseca. The Italian faced the Brazilian just a week earlier at Indian Wells, where he secured a 7-6(6), 7-6(4) victory in a tightly contested match, underlining both the gap in experience and the level Fonseca is already capable of producing on the biggest stages.

Rather than reinforcing a fixed hierarchy, Sinner pointed to the fluid nature of competition and the potential for rapid progression among younger players. “He’s an incredible talent. I wish him only the best. He’s playing at an incredibly high level, and I believe he’s going to make huge steps forward," the world No. 2 said. "He has a very good team behind him and a very good family, which is also very important. I’m a big fan of him.”

While Sinner’s current form places him among the leading figures on the tour, his comments suggest a more balanced view of the competitive landscape. The convergence of established contenders and emerging talents continues to shape the men’s game, with short-term dominance offset by long-term uncertainty.

As Sinner prepares for the next round in Miami, where he is set to face Corentin Moutet, his immediate focus remains unchanged. Despite standing on the brink of a standalone record and pursuing a potential Sunshine Double—the first since Roger Federer in 2017—his emphasis remains on incremental progress rather than milestones.