"If I could wake up and be another tennis player for a day, I would like to be Roger Federer" - Jannik Sinner
During an interaction with Eurosport, young Italian player Jannik Sinner professed his admiration for Roger Federer, saying he would like to wake up as the 20-time Grand Slam champion, even if it's just for a day.
"If I could wake up and be another tennis player for a day, I would like to be Roger Federer. He can do everything. He has all the solutions in the world on the court," Sinner said.
However, he was quick to add that he's unlikely to serve and volley like Federer does, unless the situation is dire.
Sinner added that he wanted to be a more complete player with more shots in his arsenal.
"That's my goal more than anything else: to become a slightly different player, to become more complete. Which doesn't mean you'll see me serve and volley or just slice; but maybe, one day, in a match, if there was a need, I would like to be able to find myself in the situation of being ready, of being able to rely on such solutions as well," he added.
Sinner is in action at the Rome Masters, where he'll open his campaign for a maiden Masters 1000 title against Pedro Martinez. The 20-year-old is coming off a promising 2021 season, in which he won four titles. However, he has had a lukewarm 2022 campaign, making the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, Miami and Monte-Carlo.
"I would like to face him before he retires; I will tell my grandchildren in the mountains" - Jannik Sinner on possibility of playing Roger Federer
Roger Federer has been out of action since Wimbledon last year after he aggravated his knee injury, requiring surgery. He's expected to return to action this year, having confirmed his participation in the Laver Cup and Basel.
Jannik Sinner has never locked horns with Federer. However, he recently professed a desire to do so, having faced off against the Swiss' Big 3 peers Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The 20-year-old said he would savor the moment for posterity.
"I would like to face him before he retires; he is the only one of the Big Three that I miss; with Nadal and Djokovic I played. It would be wonderful: I will tell my grandchildren in the mountains, in front of the fireplace," the Italian said.
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