World No. 1 Jannik Sinner said Sunday that he cannot be compared with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic, brushing aside the inevitable historical parallels after stretching his unbeaten run in Masters 1000 play to 24 matches.
The Italian made the remarks following a 6-2, 6-3 win over Denmark’s Elmer Moller that carried him into the last 16 of the Madrid Masters 1000.
“They did so many things in their careers, and I am still just starting,” Sinner said. “They are on another level. For my part, I am happy to be here. I am happy to play as many matches as possible.”
The 24-match streak in Masters 1000 events places Sinner among an elite group of players to have sustained that level of consistency at the tour’s second tier of tournaments, but the world No. 1 was unwilling to entertain comparisons with the Big Three trio that has defined the modern era. “I just try to give everything I have in every match,” he said.
On the wave of withdrawals
Asked about the run of withdrawals at the Caja Mágica, reportedly linked to a virus circulating among players, Sinner accepted the situation calmly. “I don’t know if it is something that happens only here or in general, but it can happen. When someone gets sick, we are always fairly close to each other in the dining areas and in the gym, so it can happen,” he said.
Praise for Jódar
Sinner also took time to single out young Spanish talent Rafael Jódar, a possible quarterfinal opponent should both players continue to advance through the draw. “He is a very talented player. He hits the ball with a lot of precision and power. You can tell by the sound when he strikes it,” Sinner said.
“He is going to be a great player in the future, and he is already showing it. I like his mentality. He is quite calm.”
Sinner now turns his attention to the round of 16 in Madrid, where his bid to extend the Masters 1000 streak — and his grip on the world No. 1 ranking — continues against the backdrop of an increasingly disrupted clay swing.
