Jannik Sinner's late-season surge reached its peak in Turin, confirming his status of the finest indoor player in the world and allowing him to claim three straight titles with the roof above his head.
Darren Cahill, one of Jannik's coaches, believes the key lies in a transformation reminiscent of one man - Roger Federer. The Italian experienced a massive blow in the US Open final, with his serve letting him down against Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner and his coach Simone Vagnozzi spent weeks reshaping his initial shot, the most important stroke in tennis. The result? Four titles in Beijing, Vienna, Paris and Turin, and a massive boost at the end of the season!
The Italian wrapped up the season with his second straight ATP Finals crown, beating five rivals in straight sets and extending his brilliant indoor streak to 31 victories in the previous two years.
The change in the initial shot has been dramatic. Sinner's delivery now explodes off the racquet with more pace and cleaner direction. The balls now land closer to the lines and generate more free points.
Jannik played 15 matches in Vienna, Paris and Turin. He offered his rivals only 25 break points and defended 18! Those numbers allowed the Italian to attack on the return, delivering 46 return games and controlling the scoreboard.
Cahill praised Sinner's and Alcaraz's ability to maintain a high level in their games and push hard on the return, drawing a parallel to Roger Federer's golden years.
The Swiss used to provide one lighting-quick hold after another and piled constant pressure on the rival across the net. Carlos broke Jannik once in the ATP Finals title match, which was the only service game the Italian gave away in five encounters!
The Spaniard served well too, but his rival took the pivotal points to extend his incredible streak. After a dedicated work, Sinner's serve has turned from a weapon into a system based on rhythm, confidence and relentless accuracy.
The four-time Major winner now closes service games with Federer-like efficiency and attacks return games like a man who senses every crack in the armor.
"The first shot in the rally is the most important. You have control over one shot in tennis, and that is the serve. Jannik and Simone have done some incredible work over the last four or five weeks to adjust the serve and find that rhythm and tempo where he has been able to up the first-serve percentage.
However, it's not all about the first serve. The serve is faster now and gets closer to the line, which allows him more free points. On the return, you rely a bit on your rival and how well he is serving.
There's no time to breathe when you face Carlos or Jannik, which makes them difficult to play against. Like Roger Federer, they can close their service games quickly and then embrace a five-minute return game and keep the pressure on the other side," Darren Cahill said.
