WATCH - Jannik Sinner blasts an impressive forehand winner

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Jannik Sinner wants to end his incredible season well and made a strong debut at the ATP Finals, defeating Alex de Minaur in front of his fans. The crowd greeted the world No. 1 with a roar as he stepped onto the court in Turin, where he hopes to improve on the final he reached last year.

The match against de Minaur did not offer particular emotions and was won by the Italian ace with great ease. However, fans in the arena were left speechless when the 2-time Grand Slam champion hit a 101 mph forehand winner (163 km/h). Everyone knows that Sinner is capable of giving a crazy rhythm to the rallies and his shots are more powerful than those of other players. This detail – combined with a limited number of unforced errors – explains Jannik's rise in the last twelve months very well.

Jannik Sinner blasts a 101 mph forehand winner against de Minaur at ATP Finals in Turin. The type of tennis he’s been playing all season. Huge power. Good margin. Nothing that can go wrong with his swing. Dreamy tennis. 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/0sL52Xothm

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 10, 2024

The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria has become an unstoppable player on all surfaces, especially on hard courts. The Italian champion is looking to win his eighth title in 2024 after the Australian Open, the Rotterdam ATP 500 , the Halle ATP 500, the Miami Open, the Cincinnati Masters 1000, the US Open and the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Sinner likes a low profile

Unlike many other tennis players, Jannik does not like ostentation and prefers to keep a low profile about his private life. The 2-time Grand Slam champion is very close to his family and loves spending time with his relatives, despite the fact that his job involves a lot of travel around the world.

During a long interview with ‘Sky Sport Italy’, the World No.1 paid tribute to his parents: "I was lucky to have very reserved parents who always tried to give the best they could. I always had the freedom to choose, even in sports. I was much stronger at skiing and maybe other parents would have told me to continue skiing instead of playing tennis. Instead they made me try; told me that they would be happy if I was happy. If I am in this position today it is only thanks to my parents. Seeing my parents after Australia—just seeing them happy and spending some time with them. I don't have so much time with my parents, so it was a very nice moment.”

Jannik Sinner & Alex de Minaur, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot  

During this season, the Italian ace also started a love-story with his colleague Anna Kalinskaya. The two tennis players do not like the spotlight and have tried to be seen little together, wanting to maintain their privacy. Anna was present in New York this summer when Sinner won his second Grand Slam title and the two players kissed after the final.

In a recent interview with Esquire, the Italian ace opened up on his relationship with Anna: "I don't think anything has changed. Having a girlfriend is something that either makes you feel good or makes you feel bad. I want it to be something that feels very natural, which comes into my life normally. I can't afford to change as a player or as a person. That hasn't happened, that's why it works.” He also added: “We just support each other as much as we can. As tennis players we are, you know, different. I am different also to other tennis players. But for sure I always try to support her because she also tries to support me, giving some positive energy.”

Many challenges

The world number 1 is still not completely serene off the tennis court due to the doping case. The 2-time Grand Slam champion does not yet know his fate and hopes not to suffer any disqualification. Jannik has already faced a lengthy trial from April until August, when ITIA announced his innocence. Everyone thought the case was closed, but WADA appealed the acquittal ruling and asked for a ban of one to two years.

Jannik Sinner© X / Twitter  

Sinner expressed his disappointment with WADA's decision, but promised full cooperation in the coming months. Several tennis players have sided in favor of the world number 1, while others have criticized him and attacked the anti-doping system. 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has argued that Sinner has received favorable treatment and has criticized him over the past couple of months.

Jannik - on the other hand - has never responded to the Australian ace, but he confided that he has understood who his true friends are in this period. Meanwhile, the 2-time Grand Slam champion changed his team during the season. Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio took the place of Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi, who were both fired due to their responsibility for the contamination.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/qa2uhFQ

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