Former Italian tennis player Filippo Volandri recently spoke about the things that set apart Roger Federer from Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He also spoke in detail about the next generation stars who are coming up in the sport.
In an interview with Il Giornale, Volandri who reached the career-high rank of 25 explained how Federer’s tennis is not flawless but also aesthetically pleasing.
“He (Roger Federer) is as he is seen on and off the court,” Volandri said about Roger Federer. “It (his tennis) is technically and biomechanically perfect. And the fact that he is more emotional which when compared to Nadal and Djokovic’s perfection makes the audience love him more,” said the former professional.
Volandri then turned his attention towards his compatriot and the most hyped star in the making, Jannik Sinner. He feels that the youngster is a touch ahead of other tennis players at his age mainly because of his mentality to turn up in big matches.
Volandri highlighted how Sinner’s backhand was shockingly quick at the Monte Carlo Masters and even in Miami. He at times even edged the speed clocked by Djokovic. He also added how the teenage sensation has his head at the right place and therefore he is someone who can overthrow the ‘Big Three’ dominance in the sport.
“He (Jannik Sinner) has something more, and in many respects,” Volandri said. “First of all, talent, and a quality different from the others. From the data in Miami and Monte Carlo, the forehand and backhand were the fastest of all, including Djokovic. He lives for tennis, he looks towards improvement and not to results. Today everyone plays well in tennis, the difference is their attitude. And he has it,” the 39-year-old former professional opined.
The former World No. 25 then added how the tennis fans may not see another era of players like Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray. Although he feels that youngsters like Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti have the goods to be a top player.
“They will become (top players),” Volandri said. “Today you become more professional much earlier, already at 18-19 years you tour with mini teams, you have everything available to grow. Of course having an era with champions like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, and I also add Murray, is probably unrepeatable. But tennis will soon have new heroes.”
When quizzed whether Sinner will be able to clinch the World No.1 rank in his career, Volandri believed that the youngster needs more maturity and luck to be at the summit for as long as Djokovic.
“Hard to say now. It takes a lot of things, even a little luck. And then the right maturity: look at Djokovic, capable of climbing to the top and staying there for so long,” he concluded.
