In the relentless pursuit of tennis excellence, every rising star inevitably faces the towering shadow of legends. For Jannik Sinner, the prodigious Italian talent, this moment arrived sharply after securing his second career ATP 500 title in Beijing. While his triumph against Lérner Tien (6-2, 6-2) was emphatic, the subsequent press conference steered not towards the win itself, but towards the spectral presence of the “Big Three”: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
The Inevitable Comparison: A Sport`s Rite of Passage
The sports world, in its perpetual quest for narrative and hierarchy, loves to draw parallels. When a player, particularly one as gifted as Sinner, begins to accumulate significant titles, the question of whether they can emulate or even surpass the game`s titans is seldom far behind. Djokovic and Nadal, in particular, have etched their names into the Beijing record books, making Sinner`s dual victories a natural, if not entirely fair, point of comparison.
Sinner, however, approached the subject with a refreshing blend of humility and pragmatic realism. When asked about joining the illustrious list of multi-time Beijing champions alongside Djokovic and Nadal, his response was clear and unvarnished:
“It’s great to be alongside them in that list. But every player goes their own way, builds their own career. I don’t know how many times they played here. For me, this tournament will always be special… I don’t compare myself to them. I’m a regular 24-year-old guy trying to play my best tennis.”
This statement, delivered with a smile that hinted at the absurdity of measuring himself against decades of unparalleled dominance, underscores a critical aspect of Sinner`s mental game. He views his journey as distinctly his own, independent of the benchmarks set by arguably the three greatest players in history. A “regular 24-year-old,” one might muse, hardly describes a world No. 2 with a growing collection of significant trophies, but it effectively communicates a grounded perspective amidst the stratospheric expectations.
The Weight of Longevity and Unique Legacies
The conversation inevitably pivoted to Djokovic`s astounding six titles in Beijing and the prospect of Sinner matching or even surpassing such a record, along with the longevity that defines the “Big Three.” Here, Sinner`s realism shone brightest. “You can`t compare me to Novak – he`s on another level,” he stated, acknowledging the chasm that still exists between his impressive ascent and Djokovic`s enduring, record-shattering career.
The sheer scale of the “Big Three`s” achievements – their collective haul of Grand Slams, Masters titles, and weeks at world No. 1, sustained over more than 15 years – represents an almost mythical benchmark. Sinner, acutely aware of this, articulated his respect:
“What Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer did for more than 15 years is incredible.”
This is not a surrender but an acknowledgment of a monumental task. The mental fortitude, physical resilience, and relentless innovation required to maintain such a level for so long are extraordinary. Sinner`s focus remains on the present: winning titles and enjoying the process. Whether he collects two or twenty trophies in Beijing, or elsewhere, is secondary to the immediate joy of competition and improvement.
Carving a Unique Path in a New Era
Jannik Sinner is part of a generation of players who, unlike those immediately preceding them, are emerging into a tennis landscape where the “Big Three” are either retired or nearing the twilight of their careers. This means they are not directly battling these titans at their peak every week, which presents a different set of challenges and opportunities. Sinner`s philosophy – to play and enjoy, to focus on his own progression – might be his most potent weapon in carving out his own, unique legacy.
His repeated success in Beijing, a tournament where he feels “comfortable” and has reached three consecutive finals, speaks to his ability to find a groove and perform consistently. This personal metric of comfort and sustained performance, rather than direct comparison to past champions, appears to be the true north of his professional compass.
In a sport often defined by numbers and records, Sinner’s grounded approach offers a refreshing counter-narrative. He understands the allure of comparisons but chooses to sidestep them, opting instead for a path paved with personal goals, consistent effort, and genuine enjoyment of the game. Perhaps this very pragmatism will be the ingredient that allows him to write a story as compelling and enduring as those he so respectfully admires.
