Andy Roddick delivered high praise for Jannik Sinner after the Italian's powerful closure to the season. Jannik raised his level following the US Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Italian wrapped up the year winning four of his final five tournaments, embracing another perfect indoor run and closing the season in style in front of the home fans in Turin.
However, what impressed Roddick most was not the trophies but the mindset behind them. Sinner did not like his performance in the US Open final. He sat in front of the prtess and publicly acknowledged that his game needed upgrades.
According to Roddick, that level of honesty is almost unheard of. Most athletes that successful defend the status quo - Jannik dissected it and cravedfor more.
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That self-awareness became the spark for one of the strongest fall campaigns in recent memory. The San Candido native conquered Beijing, Six Kings Slam, Vienna, Paris and the ATP Finals.
The Italian revamped details in his serve, making it even more lethal and placing his rivals under even bigger pressure. He left that New York setback behind and returned sharper, more complete and mentally lighter.
The results spoke for themselves. Sinner closed the season with clinical performances and rare dips. That surge carried him toward the ATP Finals title defense without losing a set.
Andy underlined Jannik's clarity and the ability to recognize exactly what must change, even when the outside world sees nothing wrong. That mark makes him extraordinary!
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It takes humility to accept shortcomings and confidence to confront them and bring improvements following hard and dedicated work. Jannik and his team accomplished that within weeks.
By the end of the season, the San Candido native was dictating, controlling and imposing. His rivals felt the pressure and cracked under it, even those like Carlos Alcaraz.
The honest moment after the US Open became the foundation for a dominant run. He faced the image in a mirror and make necessary improvements that led him toward the top.
"I do not know if we have ever had two players so honest about their shortcomings when the rest of the world does not see any. After the US Open, Jannik went to a press conference, a few months after winning Wimbledon, and without having lost to anyone other than Carlos.
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He came in and said, 'I have to change a lot.' That's incredible self-awareness, certainly greater than anything I have ever had. To be one of the two best players in the world and have such clarity about what's going to happen next, that's abnormal," Andy Roddick said.
