For years it was Roger Federer who simply could not be beaten, dominating the tour for several years during the 2000’s.

Sinner is the latest man to hold that title, having won three of the last five Grand Slams, and ascending to number one in the world rankings.

The Italian hasn’t lost a match since October last year when Sinner fell to Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing.

Alcaraz, who according to one tennis legend, may be the only player alive that can cause the 23-year-old problems.

Nicola Pietrangeli says Carlos Alcaraz is the ‘only one’ who can beat Jannik Sinner

Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italian tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli gave his thoughts on Sinner’s recent performances and named the one player who he thinks can cause him issues.

“At just 23, he’s incredible,” he said.

“He has no weak points, even his serve is better than the others now.

“The only one who can beat him in a moment of madness is [Carlos] Alcaraz.”

Pietrangeli, a two-time champion at Roland Garros, went on to compare Sinner to another tennis legend.

“The way he sends the ball back, harder and longer, it’s like seeing the Spaniard [Rafael] Nadal on clay ten years ago,” he said.

“When he plays like that he’s unbeatable, he can only lose if he’s sick or has slept badly.”

The 91-year-old watched Sinner win the Australian Open for a second time in January and gave his thoughts on the world number one’s performance.

“I wouldn’t say I liked it, I don’t enjoy this type of tennis very much, I find it almost boring,” he said.

“But he undoubtedly plays it better than the others, it’s impressive, he hit the number two in the world and made him play badly, not pizza and figs as they say in Rome.

“At the moment he has the skill and luck of the champion who at the right moment pulls a fantastic shot out of his hat”.

Pietrangeli also claims that he predicted the score of the Australian Open final perfectly.

“Even if they won’t believe it, I got the result exactly right,” he said.

“6-3 in the first set, a more difficult second set, and then 6-3 again.”

Nicola Pietrangeli says he will lose respect for Jannik Sinner if he misses the 2025 Davis Cup

Pietrangeli is the most successful player in Davis Cup history, winning 120 matches for Italy during his time as a professional.

Following his retirement, he became Italy’s Davis Cup captain, and guided them to their first title in 1976.

Italy then had to wait decades for their next triumph, before Sinner helped Italy win back-to-back Davis Cup titles in 2023, and 2024.

Some have suggested that Sinner may miss the tournament in 2025, instead focusing on a longer recovery at the end of the season.

Pietrangeli doesn’t think the 23-year-old will do so but made it clear that he would disapprove should he choose to avoid representing his country.

“I don’t think he’ll miss the Davis Cup,” he said.

“If he did it would lower my consideration for him, it would be bad because the blue jersey must always be honored.”

Sinner has competed in the Davis Cup every year since 2021, a rarity on the ATP Tour, as several other top players have chosen to skip the event in recent times.

Sinner’s young rival Alcaraz has played at the Davis Cup just twice in his career to date, missing the event in both 2021, and 2023.

Pietrangeli will be hoping that Sinner continues his streak of Davis Cup appearances and helps guide Italy to a third consecutive title in 2025.

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