Boom teen ‘has got it’
JOHN McEnroe has endorsed Jannik Sinner as a freakish talent, predicting the Italian will swiftly contend for grand slam glory.
The teenager faces Sydney qualifier Max Purcell in Melbourne Park’s first round, attempting to emulate the feats of fellow NextGen winners Hyeon Chung and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Chung and Tsitsipas followed Milan triumphs with successive Australian Open semi-final runs.
McEnroe believes Sinner is capable of eventual greatness.
“Well, his potential is to win numerous grand slams,” the former world No.1 said.
“He’s one of the most talented kids I’ve seen in 10 years. He’s only 18, but he’s got some pretty good size already, looks like he has a great head on his shoulders, and has an unbelievable upside.
“Of course he’s going to have to deal with the fact that now all of a sudden he’s going to be hunted a little bit himself and people are going to dig in a little bit more and not want to lose to an 18-year-old.
“So he’s going to have that to contend with. But I suspect in a few years you’re going to see him in the top 10 of the game. Give him two or three years for sure, I believe.”
Sinner was ranked No.553 a year ago. He has since soared to No.79 after starring on the Challenger circuit before pushing Stan Wawrinka to four sets at the US Open, downing Gael Monfils in Antwerp and Alex de Minaur in the Milan final.
“He seems to be mature beyond his years,” McEnroe, an ESPN commentator, said.
“He looks to be physically very gifted. He’s got it all.”