Jannik Sinner is undeniably one of tennis’ brightest stars, but he still has a way to go before reaching the global superstardom of legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. That’s according to Tony Godsick, Federer’s longtime agent and the president/CEO of the TEAM8 player agency.
Sinner has quickly risen to the top, dominating the ATP Tour. In 2024, he secured titles at the Australian Open, US Open, and ATP Finals, making history as the first Italian to reach No. 1 in the ATP Rankings. His stellar form has continued into 2025, as he successfully defended his Australian Open title, becoming the first Italian to win three Grand Slams.
Sinner, along with fellow young star Carlos Alcaraz, is being hailed as part of the new “Big Two” in men’s tennis. While Alcaraz may have garnered more popularity so far, Sinner’s growing dominance on the court and his increasing marketability are bringing him closer to the level of his Spanish rival. As Sinner continues to excel, his off-court appeal is also on the rise, boosting his global recognition.
In an interview with La Stampa, which was shared by Ubitennis.com, Godsick remarked, “As a global star, he can’t yet replace Federer or Nadal, but people love him. He plays a style of tennis I enjoy, and he knows how to rise to the occasion in the most important moments.” He added, “I’m not sure if he will become a legend like Roger or Rafa, but he is on the right path. He’s serious, professional, behaves well on the court, and avoids controversies off it. In that way, he reminds me of Roger.”
Despite Sinner’s rapid ascent, Godsick acknowledges that the tennis landscape is set to become more competitive, with players such as Joao Fonseca, Alex Michelsen, Learner Tien, Jakub Mensik, and Tommy Paul posing potential challenges. “After 20 years of dominance by three players, we’ll see more balance. Tennis continues to produce champions, and the sport is in excellent health, especially in Italy.”
Godsick, alongside Federer, TEAM8, Brazilian businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann, and Tennis Australia, has helped create the Laver Cup, which pits Team Europe against Team World in an annual showdown. The 2025 tournament will take place in San Francisco, though it’s uncertain whether Sinner will participate. “I don’t think he’ll play this year. We’ve always invited him, but he’s careful with his schedule, and that approach has helped him reach his goal of becoming world No. 1,” Godsick concluded
