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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 15: Roger Federer of Switzerland with Rafael Nadal of Spain pose with their trophies after the Men’s singles final mach on day eight of 2017 ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qizhong Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 15: Roger Federer of Switzerland with Rafael Nadal of Spain pose with their trophies after the Men’s singles final mach on day eight of 2017 ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qizhong Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Italian teenage star Jannik Sinner was competing in Miami at the season’s first ATP Masters 1000 event. Unfortunately, he failed to capitalize on this opportunity and lost in the final. However, another upcoming talent from Poland, Hubert Hurkacz, emerged victorious and claimed his first ATP Masters 1000 title. After the match, Jannik Sinner reflected that the next-generation of players were not ready yet to take the mantle from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
The Italian player felt that the younger players have produced upsets against the big three but have not been consistent in their performances.
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USA Today via Reuters
Apr 4, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Hubert Hurkacz of Poland (L) shakes hands with Jannik Sinner of Italy (R) after their match in the men’s singles final in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The 2021 Miami Open finalist shared his thoughts and said, “The next generation still has to show that they can beat the big three, you know, because obviously maybe they lose one or two matches, but the next generation that what I see is not ready yet to win against them consistently.”
Sinner thinks the next-gen will soon produce results against Roger Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal
On the brighter side, Sinner feels it’s just a matter of time before the next generation starts producing successful performances over the likes of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. While Sinner couldn’t provide an exact time frame for this happening, he said that the moment could arrive in about two or five years.
Reflecting on the future, Jannik stated, “So obviously it’s good to see the new generation what’s coming after them because at some point there will be the moment. I don’t know when. It can be two years or five years, I don’t know. But the moment will come, and then after is going to be other players.”
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Men’s Singles Final – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The big three gave the Miami Open a miss this season
The big three decided to skip the event in Miami this year. Therefore, it gave a chance for the younger lot of players to seize on the opportunity. During the tournament, Sinner beat Roberto Bautista Agut and Karen Khachanov in close-fought encounters.
On the other side, the champion Hubert Hurkacz registered impressive wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev before claiming the title against the Italian rising star.
As the hard court season ends for the first half of the season, the focus now shifts to the clay-court events. Rafa and Novak have confirmed their presence at the Monte Carlo Masters later this month. However, Roger Federer will compete at the events soon after.
Also Read: Rafael Nadal’s Doctor Gives Injury Update Ahead of Monte-Carlo Masters 2021
