Jannik Sinner names GOAT pick after the Miami Open, changing his 2024 stance

Jannik Sinner has shifted his stance in the long-running tennis GOAT debate following his latest title-winning run.

The Italian previously named Roger Federer as the greatest in a quick ATP Tour interview less than two years ago.

However, his view has changed. Sinner’s latest comments point firmly towards Novak Djokovic as the benchmark for greatness in men’s tennis.

Jannik Sinner now calls Novak Djokovic ‘best player in history’

Speaking after his Miami Open triumph, the 24-year-old made his position clear when reflecting on competing at the highest level.

He said on Tennis Channel: “I’m just trying to be honest with me, trying to understand that semi-finals of a Grand Slam is a great result. You can lose against Novak, he’s the best player in history.”

That statement marks a notable shift, although it does not mean he has lost his earlier admiration for Federer.

Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles and spent a record 428 weeks as world number one.

He is also the only player to hold all four major titles simultaneously and has claimed every Masters event at least twice.

Those achievements have placed him ahead of both Federer and Rafael Nadal in statistical comparisons.

Sunshine Double form puts Jannik Sinner in strong position for world number one

Sinner’s Miami Open success capped an outstanding run across the Sunshine Double events.

His consistency has tightened the ATP rankings race, leaving him just 190 points behind Carlos Alcaraz.

That gap keeps the race for the top spot firmly open heading into the clay season.

The Monte-Carlo Masters, starting on 4 April, will provide the next opportunity for Sinner to overtake the Spaniard.

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