For the last two decades, Novak Djokovic has ruled the tennis courts. With countless titles and milestones, he’s set the standard for today’s stars—Jannik Sinner included. The Italian is carving out his own legacy, no question about it. Four Grand Slams and 21 tour titles since turning pro in 2018 is no small haul. And he’s not slowing down! This season alone, Sinner has bagged three more trophies: two majors and earlier today one at the China Open. That victory marked his second Beijing crown since 2023. Another step closer to chasing Nole’s record. But is that really on his mind?

For context: Novak owns the China Open record with six titles in Beijing! He played there six times between 2009 and 2015 and never lost. Six finals. Six wins. A flawless streak, unmatched in tennis. When Sinner was asked if he thought he could top that record, Sinner was humble but clear. “I don’t know (smiling),” he said, before explaining why.

“I always say comparing me to Novak, he’s in different league with everything he has achieved in his career. I’m just a normal 24-year-old who tries to play the best tennis possible. I know l’ve won some great titles in my young career, but let’s see how long I can hold it.” And true to his words, Jannik Sinner has delivered! By 24, he’s already collected four Grand Slams and spent 65 weeks at World No.1. That streak puts him 12th on the all-time list, ahead of British legend Andy Murray.

Even so, he draws a line when it comes to comparisons with the Big Three. Sinner knows what they’ve built. “What Novak, Rafa and Roger did for 15-plus years was amazing. Novak is still here and showing some incredible tennis. So let’s see. But I’m not comparing myself,” he added.

The Big Three have owned men’s tennis for almost two decades, gathering over 70 Grand Slam singles trophies. Credit where it’s due, though, against Novak, Jannik Sinner leads their head-to-head 6-4! He’s beaten the Serbian legend back-to-back since 2023. This year, he struck at the slam semifinals, first at Roland Garros and then at Wimbledon. At Roland Garros, he played an epic against Carlos Alcaraz, setting the record for the longest final. At SW19, he made history again—his first Wimbledon title, the first ever by an Italian!

Still, through it all, he repeats the same mantra. He’s “just happy to be there.” True to form at the China Open, he stayed grounded after defeating rising star Learner Tian in a 6-2, 6-2 win to lift the trophy again. “I’m also happy that I can say that I won two times here. If it stays at two? If it’s more, I’m more happy? I don’t know if I’m more happy. I don’t know.I’m very happy that I can say I won here two times, then we see in the future.”

And that’s Sinner. Humble to the core. His line, “let’s see what’s coming,” has become familiar to both fans and commentators. They tease him for it—because each time, he somehow outdoes himself. Just as he did again in Beijing.

Jannik Sinner tips his hat to Tien despite marking a milestone

Learner Tien is quickly becoming a name to watch in men’s tennis. At just 19, he already owns a 7-5 career record against top 20 players and scored wins over Lorenzo Musetti and Daniil Medvedev on his way to the China Open final. Many were eager for his first showdown with Sinner, but the World No.2 proved too strong once again. He underlined his authority in Beijing, sweeping aside Tien to claim the 2025 China Open crown.

The milestone puts Jannik Sinner in rare air. Only Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz have collected more wins in their first 30 finals this century, both converting 23 apiece. Sinner didn’t let the spotlight take away from Tien’s rise, though. In his victory speech, he turned heads with some heartfelt encouragement: “I’d like to start with Learner and your whole team. I know you have a great team behind you. You’ve shown throughout the whole season what a talent you are. Keep going. You’re playing incredible tennis. I wish you all the best for the rest of the season and obviously for your whole career… hopefully we can share more moments like this in the future.”

This was their first meeting on tour, but it won’t be their last. The American showed grit in the semifinal, rallying from a set down to force a decider against Medvedev before the Russian retired. That result gave Tien his first tour-level final, while Sinner was playing his third straight Beijing final. The title also pushed him further into tennis history: his 18th career win on hard courts before turning 25, placing him fifth all-time behind Roger Federer (25), Novak Djokovic and Pete Sampras (22), Jimmy Connors (20), and Andy Murray (19).

Next up? The Shanghai Masters. Carlos Alcaraz is out with an injury from the Japan Open, but Novak Djokovic is confirmed and ready. With Jannik Sinner arriving as the defending champion and 2024 finalist, the question stands. Could we be headed for another blockbuster showdown in Shanghai? We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!