Three weeks ago a historic triumph, the Australian Slam, which gave Italy back a victory in the tennis majors that had been missing for 50 years. Now the Rotterdam tournament, an ATP 500 which however catapults Jannik Sinner into the future: which is already tomorrow, because the South Tyrolean, already certain of getting on the podium of the best in the world, immediately becomes number 3 in the world. The success in the final over Alex De Minaur in two sets (7-5 6-4), not without some suffering, allowed Sinner to immediately overtake Daniil Medvedev in the rankings and thus climb where no one in Italy had ever climbed.
Jannik Sinner
A record-breaking Sinner, who extends his series of consecutive victories to 15, 12th title in his career, eliminating the wait for entry into the Top 3: he will be the first Italian to go so high since the computerized ranking existed in men’s tennis, the second ever after Nicola Pietrangeli considered the third best player in the world in 1959 and 1960 by the journalist Lance Tingay.
In the Rotterdam final, despite a second serve that wasn’t always effective and the difficulty in stemming the push with the Australian’s forehand, the Italian still ended the practice in two sets with 78% of points with the first and second serves. 39% with the second. “I’m proud of how I played this week – Sinner’s immediate words – If third position gives me confidence? Of course, a greater awareness which however I have to share with my team”.
New great victory by #Sinner who wins the Rotterdam tournament and from tomorrow will be the new number 3 in the world.
Congratulations, champion. Thank you for the emotions you are giving to Italy pic.twitter.com/W9X38wFIrG— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) February 18, 2024
He reserves praise for his opponent about the match: “Facing Alex is always difficult. I like playing doubles with him, he is a kind player and I think there will be many successes, he is improving every week.
Jannik Sinner
With my team we did a great job two weeks ago and also in this tournament. I’m proud of how I played this week, we had difficult moments but we are in the right direction. We always try to improve. Thanks to everyone who makes this extraordinary tournament possible. The crowd was wonderful, fair even when I played against the Dutch. I love playing this tournament, see you next year.” And from Rotterdam come words of love for the Italian tennis player: “Four years ago you came here, you needed a wild card after the victory at the Next Gen ATP Finals. We are proud to have had a small part in this wonderful journey of yours. The only thing you haven’t changed is the way you talk to kids. You are a true champion” the tribute to Sinner by Richard Krajicek, the former Wimbledon champion and now director of the Dutch tournament. A match that is not one-sided, because Sinner, despite not granting break points until the tenth game, still remains behind pressure in his serves. De Minaur plays deep, is quick and does not drop in pace. But the gap with the 2024 version of Sinner is clear: the blue player misses a first set point, a backhand error, De Minaur saves a second at the end of one of the toughest rallies of the set. However in 64′ Sinner took home the first set with an ace. In the second, de Minaur’s break and an immediate counter-break from the Italian who then extended his lead to victory. Which is worth the third place in the world, with a view of the summit.
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2024-02-18 19:12:00
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