Jannik Sinner working to improve a shot Novak Djokovic has already mastered, according to his coach

Jannik Sinner is always looking for ways to take his game up a notch.

The Italian is enjoying an outstanding run of form, having strung together 14 straight wins. That streak has helped him cut into Carlos Alcaraz’s lead at the top of the rankings, with Sinner eyeing a return to world number one during the clay-court swing.

Sinner has always been seen as an attacking player, and his ability to move forward has taken him even further in recent years. It has brought him Grand Slam success and a handful of Masters titles. But he still feels there’s more to add, and Vagnozzi wants him to work on one specific skill that Djokovic excels at – hitting backhands down the line.

Sinner does have a solid two-handed backhand already, but it’s not quite on Djokovic’s level. This might be why he often chooses cross-court shots over going down the line.

With Novak set to skip this year’s Madrid Open due to scheduling changes and Sinner in such strong form, there could be another shift in points heading into Roland-Garros this summer.

Simone Vagnozzi says Sinner is focused on developing his drop shot

There have often been comparisons between the styles of Sinner and Djokovic, and it seems Vagnozzi wouldn’t mind seeing even more similarities between them.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italy, Vagnozzi pointed out that Sinner is putting in extra work on his drop shot and learning how to use it more effectively. He praised Djokovic’s skill with the shot and also drew parallels with how Nadal and Federer used it in their own games.

“I lived off the drop shot my whole career,” said Vagnozzi. “If you took that away from me, I wouldn’t know what to do anymore.

“Jokes aside, he’s understanding better when to use it and where, based on the ball the opponent gives him. Now he’s also starting to play it off the backhand, and it’s a shot he can still improve because when he hits hard from the backhand the opponents step back, so a drop shot would be a step forward in his game and technical arsenal. Djokovic is a master at this.

“There’s definitely room to add more variety, but it takes time. There’s no magic wand — it takes time to change things. No one can change in two weeks; it’s a process, and Jannik is the first one who wants to improve. Since I’ve been with him, at least, he’s a player in continuous evolution, who keeps growing.

“That’s a bit of the secret of champions like Djokovic, Nadal and Federer: never stop and always try to improve.”

Jannik Sinner is closing in on Novak Djokovic’s record at the Monte-Carlo Masters

Sinner isn’t just adding elements of Djokovic’s game – he’s also getting closer to matching one of his records at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Having already completed the Sunshine Double with victories at Indian Wells and Miami, Sinner is now looking to add a first Monte Carlo title to his growing list of achievements.

Djokovic is currently the only player to have won all three events in the same season, doing so back in 2015.

Sinner comes into the quarter-finals on a 19-match unbeaten run in Masters 1000 events. During that streak, Tomas Machac remains the only player to have taken a set off him.

After beating Machac in three sets, Sinner will now face Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals. The Italian has won each of their last four meetings.

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