The ATP Tour will someday be a Sinner's state says John Isner.
After Isner squeezed out a 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-4 win over Jannik Sinner in Cincinnati today, the Atlanta champion praised the 20-year-old Italian as one of the future foundational stars of the sport. Isner says Sinner will challenge for Grand Slam titles and is "one of the stars that is going to carry our sport for many years to come."
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"He has everything," Isner said of Sinner. "He has all the tools to do amazing things in this game.
"He's got a great head on top of his shoulders. He's icy out there. He doesn't get too high or too down. He keeps his head throughout the whole match. That's something pretty special for someone who just turned 20 years old."
Riding his electric strokes and steely will, Sinner subdued Mackenzie McDonald 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in a thrilling Citi Open final to capture his third career title in Washington, DC 10 days ago.
It was a historic breakthrough championship for Sinner who is the youngest ATP 500 champion—and first teenage champion—since the tournament category was created in 2009. The victory vaulted Sinner to a new career-high rank of No. 15 in the live rankings.
Isner said Sinner hasn't even scratched the surface of his full potential.
"He hasn't even come close to reaching his peak. I expect him to be winning some very, very big tournaments in the future," Isner said. "I know he hears that, right, and it's a lot, there is a lot of pressure on him, but he seems like someone that can handle it well and definitely one of the bright young stars of our game and one of the stars that is going to carry our sport for many years to come."
Hall of Famer Hall John McEnroe sees an "unbelievable upside" in the Italian he calls "one of the most talented kids I've seen in 10 years."
"His potential is to win numerous Grand Slams," McEnroe said of Sinner. "He's one of the most talented kids I've seen in 10 years. He's got some pretty good size already, looks like he has a great head on his shoulders, and has an unbelievable upside."
Photo credit: Christopher Levy