Mark Petchey, a former British tennis player who is now an analyst, has expressed surprise at the positive remarks ATP players are making about the new world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Petchey questioned Sinner’s opponents’ generosity in speaking out, given that the Italian was still gaining ground on the tour and a potential threat to their goals.
Since June 6, 2024, when he ousted Novak Djokovic after the Serbian had to withdraw from the French Open due to a knee injury sustained in his Round of 16, Sinner has been the top player in the world.
Due to his rapid rise to popularity, Sinner has the respect and admiration of his colleagues. Some of the world’s best players, including Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Christopher Eubanks, Medvedev, and Alexander Zverev, issued a video on social media featuring their good thoughts about Sinner and his popularity in the locker room.
However, the positive comments did not move everyone. Petchey, an ATP tour player from 1988 to 1998, came to X to discuss the video.
Recalling how strange it was for his competitors to praise Sinner while he was still rising, the 53-year-old claimed they ought to hold up on their congratulations until after his career had finished.
Petchey wrote: “Isn’t this the sort of thing rivals should do when the war is over, not when the battles are still raging?”
Sinner in Halle, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.1, Sinner achieved a compiled 34-3 win-loss record in 2024. The Italian is competing in Halle where he overcame the world no.27 Tallon Griekspoor 6-78 6-3 6-2.
Jannik Sinner will fight against the world no.45 Fabian Marozsan in the 2nd round. Their head to head is 1-0 for Marozsan.
The Italian clinched 3 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam and Miami.
Jannik won 14 titles in his career: 6 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 7 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)