Jannik Sinner Praises ‘Sacrifices” after Triumph Over Safiullin and Building Anticipation for Djokovic rematch at Wimbledon in 2023
Ben Madilynn
Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis sensation, showed off his talent by beating Russian player Roman Safiullin straight sets at Wimbledon 2023. This set up a highly-anticipated rematch with World No. 1, Novak Djokovic. Sinner, a 21-year-old, showed exceptional maturity and skills on the court. He overpowered Safiullin’s powerful groundstrokes with his strategic play and strong groundstrokes. Sinner made countless sacrifices in order to reach this level of his career. He spent hours on end training and improving his skills. Hard work and dedication have paid off for the young Italian, who now faces the ultimate test of facing the reigning Wimbledon champ.
Sinner, who beat Safiullin in the Australian Open earlier this year, is now confident as he prepares for a second meeting with Djokovic. Djokovic was victorious in their earlier meeting at the Australian Open. Sinner will be able to evaluate his progress in this rematch and face off against one of tennis’ greatest players. Sinner knows the significance of the occasion, and is excited to demonstrate his abilities on the Wimbledon stage against Djokovic. The young Italian is a promising tennis player, and his journey shows that.
Jannik Sinner, who was to play Roman Safiullin in his quarter-final at the All England Club on Tuesday, sat with his hood pulled up and tight against his face. He had shut out the rest of the world. Tipped as a future world No 1 since he burst on to the scene a couple of years ago, the Italian had lost all of four previous grand slam quarter‑finals. He was determined to do it right the fifth time around. Two hours and fourteen minutes later, Sinner won the match, winning 6-4, 6-6, 6-2, 6-6-2 against the 25-year old Russian. Wimbledon semi-finals.
“It means a lot to me,” The Italians spoke softly. “We put many hours of work in and many sacrifices off court for this moment.”
Sinner had a 3-1 lead in the first set, but Safiullin – ranked 92nd and at his first Wimbledon – won five games in a row to level the match. Sinner later said that he was a little surprised at the stage. “got down mentally a little bit” But he recovered and won with confidence. He will play the seven‑time champion Novak Djokovic for a place in the final.
Sinner has received so much attention in the last two years, it’s hard to believe that he’s only 21. He is the youngest man to have reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon since 2007, and he’s only the third Italian in history to do so, after Nicola Pietrangeli who did it in 1960, and Matteo Berrettini in 2021, the first Italian to make the final.
Sinner, who was beaten by Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the US Open last year, when he had a two-set lead, is now a physically and mentally improved player. “I can stay on court for many hours without suffering,” He said.
“Knowing you are also a top-10 player, it is a little bit different [mentally]. If I have to play the slice, I can play now without thinking. Before it was always a little bit different. I can go to the net knowing that I have good volleys. I have some good things now in my game, and hopefully I can use it in the right way.”
The addition to his team of Darren Cahill – the Australian coach who helped Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Simona Halep – has added steel and experience to go with his obvious talent. “For sure Darren knows a little bit better how to behave in certain moments like this, something new for me,” Sinner Said
“He knows how to deal with it because he had other players who were much better than me. It is good to have him. He gives me a lot of confidence. He is also a very nice man who you can smile, you can joke around. But he always finds the right words, especially before the matches, he knows what to say, which makes me feel good; comfortable.”
