Roger Federer recently discussed his potential performance against Jannik Sinner in a match. The Italian’s victory at the 2024 Australian Open earlier this year was also commended by the former World No. 1.

After overcoming Botic van de Zandschulp, Jesper de Jong, Sebastian Baez, Karen Khachanov, and Andrey Rublev without dropping a set, Sinner—the fourth seed in Melbourne—made it to the semifinals. The top-seeded Novak Djokovic faces the Italian in the round of sixteen.

An exceptionally ill individual Sinner defeated Djokovic handily, winning 1-6, 2-6, 7-6(6), and 3-6. After winning the first two sets, Daniil Medvedev, who was favored to win the title, squared up against the Italian in the championship match.

But starting with the third set, Sinner’s advantage started to grow. At this point, Medvedev was fatigued, and the Italian capitalized fully on it. Sinner ultimately prevailed 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to win his first Grand Slam championship.

Roger Federer, who was present at the 96th Academy Awards, gave a brief discussion regarding Sinner’s performances in Australia. The 42-year-old, 20-time Grand Slam champion was questioned about his feelings if he had to play against Sinner.

“Well, that wouldn’t be fair right now. You know, he would be the huge winner. That’s me, running after the balls. He’s doing well, and I’m really thrilled for him. Federer shot back, saying, ‘What he achieved in Australia was unbelievable.

Jannik Sinner grew up idolizing Roger Federer

One of Jannik Sinner’s early tennis idols was Roger Federer. A young, ambitious tennis player approached Sinner during the official Australian Open champion’s photocall and inquired about the Italian’s boyhood heroes.

The winner of the Australian Open adopted Federer’s name.Sinner claimed that the Swiss’s admirable conduct both on and off the court served as an inspiration to him.

Sinner stated, “I think that Roger Federer was always my biggest inspiration when I was younger because of the way he behaves on the courts and the way he treats people off the court” (via Eurosport IT on X; 0:36)

Sinner had lamented not having the chance to play against Federer at the 2023 Terra Wortmann Open in Halle. At the 2022 Laver Cup, the Swiss announced the end of his tennis career following years of right knee pain.

In June of last year, Sinner had stated at a press conference in Halle, “I am told that I did not get to meet Roger in an official match and I would have liked to do that.”