Jannik Sinner compared to Venus Williams by Italian Tennis Chief: “A complete player now”

The president of the Italian Tennis Federation, Angelo Binaghi, compared Jannik Sinner to seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams. In a recent interview in Italy, he recalled the first time he met Sinner and likened him to none other than the former world No. 1.

In an honest interview, Binaghi admitted that he initially noticed some weaknesses in Sinner’s game but was pleasantly surprised by the results of his training. The Italian acknowledged that while Carlos Alcaraz had already been stealing the spotlight for years, he had faith in Sinner’s potential to become a future World No. 1.

The president of the Italian Tennis Federation reminisced about his first meeting with Jannik Sinner back in 2019, after Sinner became the first Italian to win the title by defeating Alex de Minaur in the final. “I went to congratulate him. I was impressed by his manners and simplicity," Binaghi stated. "On the court, you could already see his enormous potential; from a technical point of view, he was at the highest level. But he still had to address some physical deficiencies; he was a bit immature,” he said.

“He reminded me a bit of Venus Williams: incredible potential but some athletic difficulties in covering the court. Then, Sinner’s tenacity and determination shaped him into a complete player without weak points. At this point, he moves like a rocket, has improved his serve, and knows how to be decisive at the net.”

When asked if he already saw Sinner as a potential future World No. 1, Binaghi mentioned how Carlos Alcaraz was the centre of attention during those years. “It was the time when Alcaraz had exploded, and everyone was obsessed with the Spaniard. Spectacular, solid, very fast, brave," commented the Italian Tennis Federation President

“But to those who said we might never have a player like that in Italy, I answered: Sinner for life. Give him time, and we’ll talk about it again. Even when everyone criticised him for deciding not to play in the Davis Cup, I defended him tooth and nail. Leave him alone, let him train in peace, and the results will come. Sinner has something special.”

When discussing Sinner’s main qualities, Binaghi said, “Mental strength, work ethic, a sense of duty and sacrifice. The obsession with improving. In this regard, he’s not very Italian at all. And his professionalism made the difference.”