Sinner to stay on Olympus to shape the new paradigm of world tennis

Carlos Navarro | 9 Sep 2024 | 11.00

Jannik Sinner, with the title of US Open champion. Source: Getty

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Winning a Grand Slam is an achievement whose magnitude, to this day, is not fully appreciated by many. Sometimes we use the term one Slam Wonder, as if we don't quite believe in a gladiator who has just completed two perfect weeks to rise to the Olympus of tennis. The popular saying that "it's not hard to get there, but to stay there" is reflected in feelings or beliefs like this, seemingly unfair to names like Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Andy Roddick, or Michael Chang. I suppose, then, that Jannik Sinner had to conquer his second major title as soon as possible. Just in case.

The Italian is not one for many gestures. The notion of having a cool head and a hot heart doesn't apply here: with Sinner, both go hand in hand. Rice milk in his veins, but in a good way. His imperturbable expression, his serious and reliable demeanor, and his ability to stay calm in any situation have made him as inclined towards love and perfection... as indifferent to a certain sector of the public. But Jannik, a man of structured routine, peaceful life, and closed circle, couldn't care less about public opinion. And this is part of his success in the last two weeks.

The media frenzy that erupted after his positive doping test several months ago could have broken anyone. First and foremost, it should be noted that failing two anti-doping tests is not a commendable feat to make his task at the US Open more heroic. No, it's not a reason for praise. Unfortunately for our sport, the handling of this case by authorities and courts has stirred controversies for which Jannik is not to blame, but has put him in the eye of a hurricane bigger than in other cases. With all this in the mix, it was presumed that the Italian's journey through New York would be far from easy... and nothing could be further from the truth.

All of Jannik's personality traits have come together perfectly to act as a shield in the midst of the storm. Perhaps they may be a hindrance in direct encounters with hot-blooded players (Alcaraz being the prime example), capable of winning over the crowd in crucial moments and reaching higher peaks of tennis. Yet, he has become the most consistent player on the circuit by a wide margin. The Italian has become immune to unexpected defeats, a regular in the final rounds, a voracious consumer of second-tier players. You have to be exceptionally good to catch Sinner off guard... and that, in a circuit with eras that are expected to be highly volatile, is a fierce argument for achieving greatness.

A SECOND MAJOR TO OPEN A NEW PARADIGM

While Alcaraz and Djokovic melted under the New York night, Sinner advanced. The media hype couldn't shake him in the early rounds. The rollercoaster named Daniil Medvedev also couldn't deter him from his goal in the quarters. The combo of heat and humidity in the semifinals didn't even leave a scratch, and the patriotic crowd and an opponent with nothing to lose were weak arguments in the final. Second Grand Slam final, second crown. Sinner has just distanced himself from many great players to enter a new dimension, that of a man who has sustained himself over time following a meteoric rise in the ATP rankings.

A year and a half ago, when Sinner fell to Holger Rune in the Monte Carlo semifinals, many stated (I include myself in this group) that the Danish player had greater potential than the Italian. How quickly things have changed in just a few months. How easily Sinner has altered the perception of many fans. And all this, of course, with the calm and serenity that characterizes him. Just when it seemed that Alcaraz had everything to leave a mark in history, a contrasting character stepped into the forefront, potentially forming a historic rivalry in this sport. After sharing the biggest spoils of the season, all that remains is for them to face off in a Grand Slam final, a scenario eagerly awaited by the tennis world to officially usher in a new paradigm in this sport. Because Sinner hasn't arrived to stay but to endure. And tennis appreciates it.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner, mantenerse en el Olimpo para moldear el nuevo paradigma del tenis mundial