Behind the soft smile and bright hazel eyes, Jannik Sinner has become a major force in men’s tennis. The Italian, who values his family and a normal life, doesn’t outwardly express a desire to defeat his opponents.
However, his victims know how they will be defeated. They know how Sinner will trap them in the corners of the court. They will be lulled into a false sense of security. But they can feel how illusory it is.
Sinner’s Opponents Know His Game
Casper Ruud spoke ahead of the French Open. He said that you get no breathing room from any corner against Sinner.
Ruud said that whether you’re playing the forehand crosscourt rally or the backhand crosscourt rally, the ball will come at a high pace. So, if you’re not very precise with your own shots, he’s going to be there on top of you and punish you.
The Sheer Scale of Sinner’s Winning Streak
Sinner has won 29 consecutive matches. This is the longest winning streak in men’s tennis since Novak Djokovic won 43 straight matches in 2011.
- He has won six consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles.
- He also won the ATP Tour Finals toward the start of that run.
Carlos Alcaraz won the Australian Open. Djokovic stunned Sinner in the semi-finals. Sinner then set his sights on reclaiming the No. 1 ranking.
He owned it by mid-April, having had almost zero points to defend in that time after missing most of February; March and April in 2025 to serve an anti-doping suspension.
The Devastating Tactic Behind Sinner’s Success
Sinner lures his opponents into a false sense of security. One moment, they are enjoying the most basic form of friendly tennis. A crosscourt exchange, backhands or forehands, the ball pinging across the net from one corner to the other.
Before they see it coming, Sinner changes direction. He shoots the ball down the line and into the open court. He doesn’t even need to hit it all that hard; the depth, accuracy and topspin act as the last push.