In the 15 meetings between Jannik and the Spaniard the balance smiles clearly in Carlos, but on 3,152 points played, the difference is practically nothing
As usual, the most lucid was him: Jannik Sinner. After the defeat in the final against Alcaraz in New York, the blue tennis player analyzed what had happened to the US Open and also indicated the way to follow to prevent the defeat from being repeated (that is part of the game and must always be accepted, especially if on the other side of the net there is Spanish) but a feeling of such marked inferiority. The set was more the result of the case and the usual perfect attitude even on black days: as soon as Alcaraz left a crack (the first ball-break), Sinner made it a breach (tearing the service to the rival) and then a door (winning the partial). But there was no time to delude yourself and we are quite convinced that not even Jannik, always very attentive to the sensations that come from the field, has really thought of being able to win. The fifteenth challenge between the two dominators of world tennis, therefore, set a first turn point: there had been many beautiful and important games, that of New York, however, it ferried the rivalry to the second level. It will not be the last one: Nadal and Federer (24-16), 50 times Djokovic and Roger (27-23), 60 times Rena and Rafa (31-29) were faced 40 times. Jannik and Carlos can approach those figures or overcome them, but during their career there will be two or three decisive moments for the legacy they will leave. As happened to both in the course of this summer: after the Batosta of Wimbledon Alcaraz he studied for two weeks the precautions necessary to beat Sinner and the blue will do the same after the clear defeat of New York.
Sinner-Alcaraz, the balance of comparisons
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In the first fifteen challenges 3,152 points were played: Alcaraz won 1,579, Sinner stopped at 1,573. Six points of difference is nothing. But the points, like the goals, must be weighed and not only counted. And Jannik is nailed to the need for some changes from the overall budget of the meetings: 10-5 for the Spaniard, even 8-1 in the last nine comparisons. Cincinnati does not count for the physical conditions of the blue (even if during the tournament the Spaniard seemed more centered) and at Roland Garros a victory could have come, as we unfortunately remember well. But the basic concept remains unchanged: in direct clashes Carlos has had something more so far. And consequently Jannik will work on his tennis to reduce the gap, even at the cost of throwing away some game against lower opponents. Training is fundamental and Simone Vagnozzi will accompany the player in this technical and tactical evolution. But only the tournament will give the expected responses, because the competition tests every aspect, including the athletic one in which further growth will be needed: Alcaraz forces Sinner to raise the intensity at the highest level from the first to the last point and the matches are always very tiring. Let’s not wait for revolutions: it would be absurd. Jannik’s tennis is structured, it has been generated by years of work with the aim of also exploiting its eye and biomechanical qualities. There is talk of change, but it would be more appropriate to speak of enrichment. That’s why the tactical appearance should be underlined: Sinner can train a blow (the backhand back, the volée, the dampened), but if it is not convinced that it is used, it is as if it did not have it in her tool bag. Sometimes it seemed that Jannik used the famous variations only during the control phase. Instead we should introduce them more when things turn less well. As always, everything was born from the head and in this sense his words in the belly of the arthur Ashe Stadium leave us quiet.
In what is to improve Sinner
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Sinner is a boy who decides and goes on his way: it was so when he left dishes and chose Vagnozzi, when he wanted Cahill in the staff, when he gave up panichi and filming Ferrara following some not very positive feeling that he had had on the pitch between Rome and Paris: despite having played two consecutive finals after a long stop, he had the perception that something was wrong. Now it’s time to intervene on the game and above all on those details that make the difference. The service, of course, is the easiest example because it is the only blow that is independent of the opponent: you have to raise the percentages and effectiveness (serve well gives confidence, it does not only bring points), above all “cleaning” the movement by working on the reel (movement of the arm behind the back) and on the launch of the ball. Details that make the difference and that must be framed in the usual game of Sinner, who a year and a half ago, for example, was very good at inserting different trajectories in his underlying exchanges. The final goal is to beat Alcaraz, of course. But the most important one, because it gives a complete meaning to each training session, is the constant search for an improvement: Jannik wants to present a version of himself even higher and different and move his limits a little further. There is nothing more rewarding in sport.
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