Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner (r.) trained together in Rome. © Social Media / J. Sinner

Learning from the best for the start to Rome

On Saturday Jannik Sinner (ATP 8) will play his first match at the Masters tournament in Rome. While his opening opponent - who has been known since Wednesday evening - qualified for the second round in slow motion, the South Tyrolean took part in a training session with Novak Djokovic.

10 May 2023

From: cst

Jannik Sinner has long been a big name in the international tennis circus. But there are of course a few calibers that are still far superior to the South Tyrolean. Novak Djokovic is one such name. The 22-time Grand Slam winner from Serbia was Sinner's training partner in Rome after the Puster native prepared for the tournament in the Italian capital with his coach Simone Vagnozzi in Ascoli Piceno.

Sinner's first opponent in Rome has been determined since Wednesday evening. Thanasi Kokkinakis will meet the South Tyrolean on Friday, who has won both previous duels with the Australian. Kokkinakis and Sinner have already dueled this year, namely at the hard court tournament in Adelaide. Sinner has never played on clay against the 27-year-old, who is ranked 104th in the world.

Thanasi Kokkinakis is Jannik Sinner's opening opponent in Rome. © APA/getty / MATTHEW STOCKMAN

Kokkinakis reached the second round in Rome in slow motion. Opponent Jaume Munar (ESP) had to give up after just a few games. After 2 minutes, with the score 30:4 for Kokkinakis in the first set, the Iberian ended the match.