Winning Major finals requires far more than flawless tennis, with the biggest champions often separated by their ability to remain calm under enormous pressure. Andy Roddick believes Jannik Sinner possesses a quality he has seen in only one player: Roger Federer. Speaking about the Italian's mentality before Major title matches, the former world No. 1 compared Sinner's remarkable composure to that of the 20-time Major champion. It is lofty praise considering the Swiss legend's reputation for appearing completely relaxed on the sport's biggest stages throughout his career.
Roddick's comments come as Sinner continues to establish himself as the defining player of his generation. The world No. 1 has reached seven Major finals before turning 25, winning five titles and suffering his only defeats against Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros and the US Open in 2025. While many players admit to feeling overwhelming nerves before Grand Slam finals, Roddick believes Sinner approaches those occasions with extraordinary serenity. According to the American, only Federer displayed a similarly relaxed demeanor before competing for tennis' biggest prizes. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by the moment, Jannik appears completely confident in his preparation and ability.
That mindset has translated into an outstanding record on the biggest stage. Roddick also pointed to Sinner's understated celebrations as another sign of his mentality. Instead of becoming consumed by emotion after lifting a Major trophy, the San Candido native seems mentally ready to begin preparing for the next challenge almost immediately. That feature could allow him to remain among the game's dominant forces for years to come.
Jannik Sinner's Major Finals Record: A Testament to Composure
The Italian's results fully support the American's assessment. Since reaching his first Major final at the 2024 Australian Open, Sinner has compiled a 5-2 record in title matches on the biggest stage. He won his first Major in Melbourne in 2024, defeating Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller. He then captured his second Australian Open title in 2025, this time beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets. His Wimbledon triumph in 2025 came against Carlos Alcaraz in a classic four-set final, while he added the US Open crown later that year by defeating Alexander Zverev. His fifth Major came at the 2026 Australian Open, where he overcame Alcaraz once again in a high-quality match.
Both losses came against his greatest rival Carlos Alcaraz, including that massive blow in Paris in 2025 when the Italian wasted three match points in one of the finest Major finals ever. The French Open final saw Sinner hold three championship points in the fifth set, only for Alcaraz to produce miraculous shots and eventually prevail. At the 2025 US Open, Sinner again fell to Alcaraz in a five-set battle that lasted nearly five hours. Despite those heartbreaking defeats, Sinner showed remarkable resilience, bouncing back to win the 2026 Australian Open immediately after.
The 24-year-old has repeatedly shown the ability to deliver his best tennis under immense pressure, whether against Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, or other top opponents. His consistency in the latter stages of Major events has become one of the defining characteristics of his rise to the top of men's tennis. If Roddick's comparison proves accurate, the rest of the ATP Tour could face an even greater challenge in the years ahead.
Andy Roddick's Perspective: A Player Who Knows Major Pressure
Andy Roddick is uniquely qualified to judge composure before Major finals. The American won the 2003 US Open, reached four other Major finals (all lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon), and was known for his fiery on-court personality. He understands the crushing weight of a Grand Slam final better than most. In an interview with Tennis Channel, Roddick elaborated on his observation: “Jannik is the most relaxed person I have ever seen, apart from Roger Federer, before a Major final. He seems to exude a serene confidence in how he approaches things. Even his celebrations are unlike anyone else’s; you could tell he was ready to do it all again an hour after the US Open, which is a problem for the rest of the world.”
Roddick’s own career included many tense finals against Federer, where the Swiss star appeared almost robotic in his calmness. “Roger never showed fear. Jannik has that same look in his eyes – like he knows he’s done the work and whatever happens, he can handle it. It’s rare,” Roddick added. This comparison places Sinner in elite company, as Federer is widely regarded as the most mentally composed player in tennis history, alongside Bjorn Borg and Novak Djokovic.
Background: Sinner's Rise to World No. 1
Jannik Sinner burst onto the scene as a teenager from South Tyrol, Italy, known for his powerful groundstrokes and ice-cold demeanor. He turned professional in 2018 and quickly climbed the rankings, winning his first ATP title in Sofia in 2020. Under the guidance of coaches Riccardo Piatti and later Darren Cahill, Sinner developed into a complete player. His major breakthrough came at the 2024 Australian Open, where he saved a match point in the final to defeat Daniil Medvedev. Since then, he has added four more Major titles and has become the world No. 1, displacing Novak Djokovic after a stellar 2025 season.
Sinner's game is built on clean ball-striking, exceptional footwork, and an ability to dictate rallies from the baseline. But it's his mental strength that has drawn comparisons to the all-time greats. Unlike many young talents who struggle with the pressure of big moments, Sinner thrives. He has a habit of playing his best tennis in tiebreaks, fifth sets, and deciding points. His record in five-set matches is extraordinary, with only one loss in ten such encounters – the 2025 French Open final. That defeat, however, may have been the catalyst for his even stronger mental approach.
Roger Federer's Legacy of Calmness
Roger Federer's ability to remain tranquil under pressure defined his career. The Swiss maestro won 20 Major titles, often coming from behind or winning tight matches without a hint of anxiety. He was famous for his relaxed warm-ups, gentle demeanor on court, and the absence of racket smashing or visible frustration. Federer once said, “I try to stay in the moment and not think about the outcome. It's just focusing on the next point.” This mindset allowed him to compete at the highest level into his late 30s, winning his last Major at the 2018 Australian Open at age 36.
Federer's composure was especially evident in his eight Wimbledon finals. He saved match points in the 2007 semifinals and 2014 semifinals, and won several five-set classics against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. That same serene confidence is what Roddick sees in Sinner. “Jannik doesn’t get rattled. Even when he lost those match points in Paris, he came back and won the next two Majors. That tells you everything,” Roddick noted.
What This Means for the ATP Tour
If Sinner indeed possesses Federer-like calmness, he could dominate men's tennis for the next decade. At 24, he is already a five-time Major champion with room to improve. His rivals include Carlos Alcaraz, who has also won five Majors, and a younger generation of players like Holger Rune and Jakub Mensik. However, Sinner's mental edge may give him an advantage in crucial moments. He is the favorite for the upcoming US Open, where he will look to regain the title he lost to Alcaraz in 2025. With his relaxed approach and undeniable talent, Sinner appears poised to add more Grand Slam trophies to his collection.
Roddick's comparison serves as a warning to the rest of the tour: the Italian is not just a great player; he is a mental giant in the making. As he continues to refine his game and gain experience, his ability to stay calm while others crack could become his greatest weapon. For now, Sinner remains focused on his next challenge, perhaps already mentally preparing for his next Major final, as unfazed as Federer ever was.
Source: MSN News