Jannik Sinner showed his humble personality after the 2024 Shanghai Masters final when he showered his final opponent with praise despite winning the final match.
The 23-year-old Italian player won his seventh title of the 2024 season at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai. He once again proved to be better than everyone else in the draw, and with the win, he cemented his position as the year-end World No. 1 on the ATP Tour.
Sinner was impressive throughout the tournament, but his final win over Novak Djokovic was one of his most impressive wins of the week. Despite winning fewer points than his opponent in the opening set, the Italian player never looked like he could lose the match.
Despite facing the four-time Shanghai Masters champion, who was trying to win his 100th career title, Sinner looked in control of the proceedings, relatively easily winning the match 7-6(4), 6-3.
He was the better player on Sunday, but he was still aware of the greatness that stood on the other side of the net in that final match. Despite being 37 years old and maybe half a step slower than ten years ago, Djokovic is still synonymous with greatness.
The Serbian player won everything that could be won in tennis, so it wasn't surprising that Sinner showered his final opponent with compliments after the final match in Shanghai.
"It’s tough to tell you a secret, because he doesn’t have any weaknesses. You just have to try to use this really small amount of chances he gives you, but there are not so many throughout the whole match."
"And just trying to believe in every moment, and that’s it. He’s a legend of our sport. It’s very tough to play against him. I’m very happy."
The Italian player wasn't the only one to compliment his opponent after the final in Shanghai. When Djokovic was asked about Sinner, who had proved to be better for the third consecutive time, he didn't hesitate to shower him with praise, either.
"All around, you know, every shot he's got in the game. He's improved his serve tremendously, I think that became a big weapon. He's just very aggressive from the baseline, as soon as he's got a shorter ball, he's taking the initiative."
"Just very solid from forehand and backhand, doesn't make too many mistakes, and just tries to take away the time from the opponent."
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, considered by many to be the greatest tennis player of all time, also gave Sinner the ultimate compliment, comparing his game to himself.
"That's something that reminds me of myself throughout my career, that's what I've done for so many years consistently, playing fast-paced tennis, taking away time from the opponent, kind of suffocating the opponent, if you want, in a certain way."
"That's what you want, you want your opponents always to feel under pressure from your shots, from your speed, from your presence on the court. So he's got that, I mean, this year he's been so consistent, it's really, really impressive."
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