The ‘Human’ Side of Sinner: Fabrice Santoro Finds Lapses More Surprising Than Brilliance

Former World No. 17 Fabrice Santoro, known for his unique playing style and insightful commentary, recently offered a particularly intriguing perspective on the form of Jannik Sinner. While the tennis world has grown accustomed to the young Italian`s near-perfect performances, Santoro suggests he`s no longer impressed by Sinner`s brilliance. Instead, it`s the rare moments when Sinner isn`t playing flawlessly that truly capture his attention.

According to Santoro, Sinner`s consistently high level of play throughout the year has become the new normal. “You know, I`m no longer impressed by Jannik Sinner`s very good play,” Santoro reportedly stated. “I consider this normal because he`s been playing fantastically all year.” What Santoro finds genuinely surprising, almost `strange,` are the brief periods—perhaps 10 or 15 minutes—when Sinner`s form dips. These moments, like the start of the third set against Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-final, are what make Sinner seem “human again,” a stark contrast to his usual seemingly invincible presence on court.

This unique observation comes amidst a period of astronomical success for Sinner. His performances over the past months, including deep runs at Roland Garros and now a strong showing at Wimbledon, underscore the phenomenal trajectory of his career. While he has faced challenges, such as a tough match against Grigor Dimitrov, his overall level has remained extraordinarily high.

A prime example of Sinner`s elevated status is his recent record against Novak Djokovic. Santoro pointed to Sinner`s remarkable feat of defeating Djokovic five consecutive times across all surfaces, an achievement he rightly deemed `huge.` This head-to-head record against one of the greatest players of all time serves as concrete evidence of Sinner`s consistent dominance at the sport`s highest level.

Ultimately, Santoro`s commentary provides a slightly ironic, yet telling, perspective on Sinner`s current standing in tennis. When a player`s baseline level is so incredibly high that their brief moments of perceived weakness are more noteworthy than their sustained brilliance, it speaks volumes about their exceptional talent and consistency. Sinner, it seems, has set the bar so high that even minor slips are deemed newsworthy by seasoned observers like Fabrice Santoro.