Jannik Sinner Stays Humble While Chasing Novak Djokovic’s China Open Record – But Should He?

Let’s be honest here – when you’ve just demolished your opponent 6-2, 6-2 in a major final and claimed your second China Open title before turning 25, maybe it’s time to stop calling yourself “just a normal 24-year-old.” But that’s exactly what Jannik Sinner did after his latest victory in Beijing, and frankly, it’s both refreshing and slightly frustrating at the same time.

Sinner Keeps It Real About Djokovic Comparisons

After beating American Learner Tien in what can only be described as a tennis clinic, journalists naturally started asking the big questions. With Novak Djokovic holding the China Open record at six titles, reporters wanted to know if Sinner had his sights set on breaking that milestone.

His response? Classic Sinner humility with a side of reality check.

“I always say comparing me to Novak, he’s in a different league with everything he has achieved in his career,” Sinner said, probably while internally rolling his eyes at the question. “I’m just a normal 24-year-old who tries to play the best tennis possible.”

Now, calling yourself “normal” when you’ve won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and now a second China Open title in 2025 alone is either the greatest example of modesty in sports history or a masterclass in managing expectations. Probably both.

Why Sinner’s Humility Makes Sense (Sort Of)

Look, the kid has a point. Djokovic didn’t just dominate the China Open – he basically owned it between 2009 and 2015, winning six out of seven tournaments during that stretch. That’s not just impressive; that’s borderline ridiculous levels of dominance.

But here’s where Sinner’s humility starts to feel almost unnecessary. He’s already joined an exclusive club with only three members who have won the China Open multiple times: himself, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic. Not bad company for a “normal” 24-year-old, right?

“I know I’ve won some great titles in my young career, but let’s see how long I can hold it,” Sinner continued, as if winning Grand Slams is something that just happens to regular folks who happen to pick up a tennis racket.

The Sinner vs. Big Three Reality Check

When Sinner talks about what “Novak, Rafa and Roger did for 15-plus years,” he’s absolutely right to show respect. The Big Three didn’t just win tournaments – they redefined what dominance looks like in professional tennis. They turned the sport into their personal playground for nearly two decades.

But here’s the thing that’s mildly irritating about Sinner’s response: he’s acting like he’s not already on track to potentially join that conversation. Sure, longevity is key, but the quality of tennis he’s displaying right now isn’t just “normal 24-year-old” stuff – it’s generational talent level stuff.

Sinner’s Physical Game Keeps Getting Better

During the same press conference, Sinner was asked about his fitness compared to previous years. His answer was refreshingly honest about the challenges of managing a professional tennis career at his age.

“It’s very difficult when you’re 23, 24, because you’re still young, to understand fully your body and mind, what the best thing is to do,” he explained.

Fair enough. The guy’s still figuring out how to be a professional athlete while dominating the sport. Most people his age are still figuring out how to do their own laundry without turning everything pink.

He also mentioned that he feels “physically I’m getting slightly better every time,” which should probably terrify every other player on tour. If this is Sinner still improving physically, the rest of the field might want to start looking for new careers.

The Year-End Number One Race Heats Up

With Carlos Alcaraz pulling out of the Shanghai Masters after his Japan Open victory, Sinner suddenly has a golden opportunity to close the gap in the year-end number one race. It’s almost like the tennis gods are rewarding his humility with actual chances to prove he belongs in those Big Three conversations.

The irony is delicious: while Sinner insists he’s not comparing himself to the legends, the results keep forcing those comparisons anyway. Sometimes the story writes itself, even when the protagonist refuses to acknowledge the plot.

What This All Really Means

Here’s the brutal truth that Sinner seems reluctant to admit: he’s not a normal 24-year-old anymore. Normal 24-year-olds don’t casually win multiple Grand Slams in a year. They don’t make winning tennis matches look as effortless as ordering coffee.

But maybe that’s exactly why he’s so successful. In a sport where egos can derail careers faster than you can say “unforced error,” Sinner’s determined humility might just be his secret weapon. He’s building a championship mentality without the championship ego, and honestly, it’s working pretty well for him.

Whether he’ll eventually catch Djokovic’s China Open record remains to be seen. But if he keeps playing like this while maintaining that “I’m just trying my best” attitude, he might end up surprising himself with just how “normal” breaking records can become.