“He’s changing his game style a little bit so he’s even more dangerous to play” – Sinner on Medvedev and other rivals in Turin group

Italy’s Jannik Sinner will begin his campaign for a first ATP Finals title in front of his home fans in Turin knowing that he has already secured the year-end world No 1 ranking.

The Italian is placed in the Ilie Nastase group alongside Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, American Taylor Fritz and Australia’s Alex de Minaur. On Thursday, the 23-year-old shared his thoughts with the ATP Tour about his rivals in the group as he gets ready to take them on over the course of the next few days.

“(Medvedev) has had an amazing career, winning a lot of tournaments,” said Sinner, who is tied at 7-7 with the Russian on head-to-head but has won seven of their last eight clashes. “He has a great mentality on the court, moving incredibly well. He’s changing his game style a little bit so he’s even more dangerous to play. He has been one of my key points in evolving myself as a player, because I struggled a lot to beat him. Now, every match is quite open, you never know what’s going to happen. He’s a very tough opponent.”

Sinner will also face Fritz, whom he beat in the US Open final, and De Minaur, who has qualified for the season-ending finale for the first time in his career.

“Taylor Fritz, I might know slightly less, because we haven’t had so many encounters yet,” said the Italian, who leads Fritz 2-1 in head-to-head. “But he is an amazing server, hitting the ball very strong. He has improved a lot in the last two years, starting with the serve and returning very well. He is an all-round very good player, and he has had an amazing season.”

The Italian’s Turin campaign will get underway against De Minaur, a player to whom he has never lost in seven previous encounters.

“Alex is a bit different as a player. He is a very solid, very fast mover, a great mentality. You have to win every point somehow. He is not going to give it to you, so you have to go for it. With the work ethic he has, he deserves to be in the position he is in. He won’t hold back, he will keep improving as a player, and it’s nice to see him here. The first time is always very special. You see something new, you feel less pressure because it’s the first time. So, let’s see what’s coming.”

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