Boris Becker has claimed that Jannik Sinner’s toughest opponent is “himself”, as he hailed the Italian’s “unbeatable” consistency on the ATP Tour.
World No 1 Sinner captured the fourth Grand Slam title of his career on Sunday afternoon, ending Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon reign with a four-set victory over the two-time defending champion.
The 23-year-old’s triumph means that, despite serving a three-month doping ban, he is the reigning champion at three of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Sinner has a 27-1 record across his last four major appearances, with his only defeat coming in the final of the French Open, where he held three championship points before defeat to Alcaraz.
The Italian is just the fifth man in ATP Rankings history to hold over 12,000 points, and he currently has a 3,430-point lead over world No 2 Alcaraz.
The world No 1 will likely be the leading favourite to win the US Open at the end of the summer, twelve months on from beating Taylor Fritz in the final.
And, in comments made after Sinner’s triumph at the All England Club, tennis icon Becker heaped praise on the Italian’s mental strength and consistency.
“Jannik’s greatest opponent is himself, his reflection in the mirror,” said Becker.
“In a way, his great strength is mental. He came back from his suspension by reaching the final in Rome and Paris, and now at Wimbledon.
“Very few could have come back like that after a three-month suspension. He also went to Halle and, match after match, continued to build his form and confidence. Jannik has always been very focused; his personality is unique.
“Who can beat him? Carlos, when he is enjoying a good day. There are players like Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz who can beat him once.
“However, when it comes to consistency, Jannik has been unbeatable right now.”
Sinner’s triumph over Alcaraz represented a remarkable turnaround in his rivalry against the Spaniard, whom he had lost to the last five times they had played.
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Alcaraz was many people’s pick to win the final after the trajectory of their head-to-head, while also being on a 20-match win streak at Wimbledon and a 24-match win streak in 2025.
But Sinner was able to turn the tables inside Centre Court, outclassing his opponent, who looked flustered at points.
The Italian had spurned three championship points and a two-set lead in their French Open final just 35 days before, and admitted afterwards his mental response to that was the “proudest” moment of his triumph.
He said: “I think is the part where I’m the proudest of because it really has not been easy.
“I always tried to be honest with me and had the self-talk too, you know, what if, what if? I always tried to accept it, in a way.
“Things can happen. I believe if you lose a Grand Slam final that way, it’s much better like this than someone kills you, you know, that you make two games. Then after you keep going, keep pushing.
“I did a lot of intensity in every practice because I felt like that I could play very good. That’s why I also said after Roland Garros that it’s not the time to put me down, no, because another Grand Slam is coming up, and I did great here.”