For months now, Jannik Sinner has been setting indoor courts ablaze—18 matches, 18 wins, and still counting. But beneath that glittering streak lies something far more profound than just a run of dominance. It’s a quiet transformation, one that’s turning the Italian star into one of the most complete players on the ATP Tour.

Sinner has already won three titles this season, and guess what? Two of them came off major stages (AO, Wimbledon). Although he reached the finals at the French Open and the US Open, his dreams were shattered at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz. After losing the US Open final by 2-6, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, Sinner made a very interesting statement. He said, “I was very predictable today. On the court, he (Carlos Alcaraz) did many things; he changed up the game. That’s also his style of how he plays. Now it’s going to be on me if I want to make changes or not.” The Italian assured his fans, saying, “I’m going to aim to do some changes, trying to be a bit more unpredictable.”

Now, it has been more than a month since the US Open final. How far has Jannik Sinner improved his game? If we take a look at his performances in the next three tournaments, he won the title at the China Open, defeating America’s Learner Tien by 6-2, 6-2. Then, in Shanghai, he was forced to give a mid-match walkover to Tallon Griekspoor in the R32 clash. But then at the Vienna Open, he has now got a stellar start (winning both of his matches in straight sets). Sinner took just 58 minutes to beat Daniel Altmaier in the R32 by 6-0, 6-2. He got the second-highest performance rating (9.61) of the year for his performance in this match. Interestingly, before the China Open, Sinner was at the top of the list of players who varied the least. But his performances at both Shanghai and Vienna have been quite different.

So, these numbers paint the story perfectly. But it’s not just about percentages. It’s about how those numbers translate on the court. The once-repetitive baseline hitter is now sprinkling in dropshots, approaching the net with newfound confidence, and mixing up pace and height to keep opponents guessing. And this evolution hasn’t just made him unpredictable—it’s made him untouchable in faster indoor courts.

Jannik Sinner’s playing style has been praised by several tennis stars in the past. For example, during the 2024 Miami Open, tennis legend Serena Williams hailed the Italian star, saying, “I wish I had my forehand like that. The racket speed, the power. I was like, 'Wow!' Night and day. You’re unbelievable….”

A few days ago, Chilean star Alejandro Tabilo also spoke to ‘Tennis Vibes’ about what really impresses him the most in Sinner’s game. He has faced Sinner only once in his career so far, and while sharing his experience from the same, he stated, “Sinner didn’t surprise me with his ball speed in absolute terms, but for another aspect: it’s normal that he has a higher average pace than everyone else, but it’s phenomenal how he maintains it both throughout the match and when moving away from the centre.”

Tabilo also added, “I remember trying to make him move, and I was getting blasted with shots even when he was at the sides of the court; for him, it makes no difference, and in this, he’s incredible.”

Jannik Sinner's gameplay has caught the eyes of several tennis bigwigs in the past, and now his variation could add a whole new dimension to his game. Sinner has been unbeaten in the indoor tournaments since the Davis Cup 2023. It’ll be interesting to see if he can keep this winning run intact. But what did he say after his impressive victory against Flavio Cobolli?

Jannik Sinner heaps praise on his compatriot following an impressive victory at the Vienna Open

Jannik Sinner’s blazing form under the indoor lights of Vienna shows no sign of slowing down. Barely 24 hours after wrapping up a 58-minute match against Daniel Altmaier, the Italian sensation returned to court and delivered another clinical performance—this time against his compatriot Flavio Cobolli.

While sharing her thoughts about Sinner’s performance in the opening match at the Vienna Open, former British tennis player Naomi Cavaday said, “Wow, there’s almost nothing to say because the tennis said it all. It was so far away, in terms of level, it was absolutely extraordinary. Every small detail was played to perfection, which meant there was no way in, not a chance for Daniel Altmaier, and that became quite clear about halfway through the first set.” She further added, “Even those adjustments, in such a short space of time, realizing when he’s staying back, coming forward, changing where the return goes, getting it perfect every time, so Altmaier doesn’t even have the element of surprise. He had nothing to work with there whatsoever; it was completely and utterly flawless.”

She feels that no one will want to play Jannik Sinner if he maintains the level he showed against Altmaier. Before the R16 match, Cobolli hailed Sinner as a “cannibal,” as he has won almost all the derbies played against other Italian players. He knew this one was going to be a tough challenge, and it was, really!

Jannik Sinner defeated his compatriot Flavio Cobolli by 6-2, 7-6(4) to reach the QF of the Vienna Open, where he will now face Alexander Bublik.

After this match against Cobolli, Sinner shared a few words on his opponent. He said, “He has been playing an incredible season and has been improving week after week, so I was looking forward to this one.” The world number 2 also added, “He was one of the Italians I had not played yet. He is a great talent and a great competitor, and we both played some great tennis at times. I had some chances in the second but could not use them, and that is tennis. I tried to stay in the moment and play with a great mentality, and I am very happy with today's match.”

Jannik Sinner’s free-flowing tennis secured him a 14-4 record in this tournament. But can he win the title here for the second time in his career (after 2023)?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

Know more