“It’s an amazing compliment,” said the Italian, who acknowledged his game has some similarities to the Serbian 24-time Grand Slam champion: clean ball striking from the baseline, good movement, and solid anticipation of where an opponent may place a ball.

“I looked up to him, trying to understand what he’s doing, how he handles the pressure moments, and important moments,” he acknowledged, before clarifying that the duo are different players.

The world No. 1, who became the first men’s singles player to successfully defend his maiden major since Nadal at Roland Garros 2006, was quick to admit he can refine his game on both clay and grass courts.

“It’s for sure one thing I always think about,” he said. “You have to be a complete player, not only [on] one surface, but on also the other two.”

“Of course on hard court I feel more comfortable, no?” said the right-hander, who has won 17 of 19 career titles on hard courts and is just the fifth player in the Open Era to win three consecutive hard court Grand Slam men’s singles titles behind Djokovic, Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe.

“I take it as positive because on the other surfaces I still have to improve.

“I’m going to put a lot of energy in that, trying to find the right ways, and hopefully to go far also in the other Grand Slams who are not played on hard court,” said Sinner, currently on a 21-match winning streak, the longest of his career to date.

“I’m still young and I think I have time to adjust, especially on grass court, because I never played the juniors,” said Sinner, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon 2023 and Roland Garros 2024.

“I can do better.”