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The former Roger Federer's coach Ivan Ljubicic analyzed the exponential growth of the young Italian Jannik Sinner, explaining what was the turning point in his career. The ATP No.3 former believes that there were specific moments last season in which Jannik understood he could do great things.
In an interview granted to Sky Sport, Ljubicic tried to identify the key moments that allowed Jannik Sinner to gain the confidence necessary to experience an intense final of 2023 and reach the Australian Open as one of the favourites.
The former Croatian tennis player first of all pointed to the National Bank Open, where the Italian won the first ATP Masters 1000 in his career. From the first round derby against Matteo Berrettini to the complicated quarterfinal with Gael Monfils, up to the final of the tournament with Alex de Minaur. Sinner left only one set on the road.
Ljubicic analyzed Sinner's turning points
"At the ATP Masters 1000 in Toronto the first big title came for him and perhaps he understood that he was ready to do important things. Even now he continues to say that he still has to work and improve, but that was the first big step. The decision not to play in the Davis Cup group stage was a difficult one. He received a lot of criticism, but he proved that it was the right choice," analyzed Ljubicic.
The former Federer and Raonic's coach then focused on the head-to-head with Daniil Medvedev, because Sinner was able to win against him for the first time in Beijing, and on the two victories obtained against Novak Djokovic between the Nitto ATP Finals and the Davis Cup.
"Then the consecutive successes against Daniil Medvedev and he started adding other important victories. Let's not forget that he has won three of the last four with Novak Djokovic. The Davis Cup was the final cherry on top that made him feel like he was perhaps the best in the world. This brought him to Australia as favourite. He handled everything well and won his first Grand Slam tournament. Nobody believes it will be his last Major,” explained the Croatian coach.