By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, Could 17, 2026
Photograph credit score: Internazionali BNL d’Italia Fb
Don’t let Jannik Sinner’s customary stoic sport face idiot you.
In relation to scariest opponent, world No. 1 Sinner is second to none, says former No. 2 Casper Ruud.
Dwelling hero Sinner swept Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to seize his maiden Rome championship, file sixth straight Masters 1000 crown and ship Foro Italico followers right into a sing-song tribute chant of “Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole! Sinner! Sinner!”
The 24-year-old Italian scored his record-extending thirty fourth consecutive Masters match to grow to be the primary man to say six straight ATP Masters 1000 championships.
Afterward, Ruud mentioned at his finest, Sinner’s stage of play is nearly unmatched amongst champions he’s confronted.
“The actual fact is he’s an unbelievable participant,” mentioned Ruud, winless in 10 profession units vs. Sinner. “Me having performed the entire prime gamers on the earth in my profession, when he performs his finest, there’s not many that may attain this stage, if anybody in any respect on the earth.”
Sinner joins Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic as simply the second man in Open Period historical past to finish the Golden Masters—successful all 9 ATP Masters 1000 championships—and he’s the one man to brush six in a row on the 1000 stage.
The 2025 Mutua Madrid Open champion Ruud mentioned solely Carlos Alcaraz, reigning Australian Open, Roland Garros and US Open champion, can play at Sinner’s prime stage.
Ruud mentioned Sinner’s dominance is extra spectacular than the Large 3 when he confronted them within the latter levels of their careers. Ruud envisions Sinner’s lofty stage of play solely rising even larger as he sharpens his expertise.
“I feel undoubtedly these two [Sinner and Alcaraz]. I by no means performed the large three of their prime,” Ruud mentioned. “I performed them of their profession, however in the direction of the tip of their profession.
“They felt extra playable at the moment. However I’m positive Roger, Novak, Rafa, 25, 26 years previous was additionally the identical feeling for the opposite gamers.
“I don’t see [Sinner] getting any worse, sadly (smiling). You simply should suppose that you need to be higher and higher as a result of he’s additionally going to get higher and higher.”
