Jannik Sinner warned about the problem with being world No 1 by renowned coach

Patrick Mouratoglou has warned Jannik Sinner that staying at world No 1 is even more challenging than getting there because he will “no longer have the right to fail.”

The Frenchman, who coached tennis great Serena Williams and currently works with Holger Rune, believes, though, that Sinner has both the game and mindset to “dominate.”

Following the French Open, Sinner overtook 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic to become the ATP world No 1 for the first time.

The Italian has been the outstanding player in the men’s game since the 2023 US Open and has lost just three matches this year.

The 22-year-old has claimed three titles this season, including his maiden Grand Slam crown at the 2024 Australian Open, and he has not lost before the semi-finals at any event.

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Sinner started his grass-court season by defeating Tallon Griekspoor in three sets in the opening round of the Halle Open today in his first match as world No 1.

In an interview with Tennis Majors , Mouratoglou outlined why Sinner must be wary of the pressures that come with being the top-ranked player in the world.

“Of course, it is extremely difficult to reach the top, but it is even more difficult to stay at the top,” Mouratoglou said. “We no longer have the right to fail. You’re supposed to win all the time. The pressure is incredible.

“When you’re No 1, you don’t want to lose to a guy who’s No 10, No 15. But these guys, some of them are very dangerous, so they can beat him. When he plays against them, he will feel extra pressure, because he is not supposed to lose against them.

“People will understand (if Sinner loses to Alcaraz). It’s normal to lose to him, but if he loses to a player who is No 10 or 15, people will start to say, ‘Oh, wow, maybe he’s not going to stay No 1’. The pressure will be greater.

“I have accompanied Serena [Williams] in this position for a long time. I know exactly how players feel when they are in the position of world No 1.”

The Frenchman added: “He has both the game to dominate tennis and the mindset. He is both relaxed and very involved, which is the perfect combination.

“You can’t do something great without being 100% in the game. But if you’re all in and it brings you a lot of anxiety, it can work against you.

“He doesn’t have that [anxiety]. We feel that he is not putting too much pressure on himself, which is very difficult to do in this position

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