Jannik Sinner ‘more confident on grass’. Will he follow in Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon footsteps?

Jannik Sinner has highlighted two aspects of his game that have improved “a lot” ahead of Wimbledon as he hopes to copy Carlos Alcaraz’s blueprint for success at the grass-court Grand Slam.

World No 1 Sinner is high on confidence after he won his fourth title of the 2024 season and maiden grass-court trophy as he defeated Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (10-8), 7-6 (7-2) in the Halle final on Sunday.

Sinner is now 38–3 for the year with his other titles coming on the hard courts at the Australian Open, Rotterdam Open and Miami Open.

More importantly, he will head to Wimbledon with a spring in his step as he is 5-0 on grass this year with his overall record now 17-8.

Just over 12 months ago Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed a similar build-up to the grass-court Grand Slam as he won the Queen’s Club Championship – his first title on the surface – and then went all the way at the All England Club.

Alcaraz made no secret of the fact that his Queen’s title run was pivotal to his Wimbledon success and Sinner appears to have laid the same platform.

“I’m looking forward to it [Wimbledon]. Last year I made the semi-finals, I played some good tennis. Let’s see what’s coming this year,” the Italian said.

“I’m more confident for sure. And on this surface, obviously the grass might be a bit different from here and Wimbledon. But I have one week now to prepare for it, so hopefully it’s going to be a good tournament.”

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Wimbledon 2024 will be Sinner’s fourth appearance at the All England Club as he made his debut in 2021, falling in the first round.

But he has upped his game since then as he reached the quarter-final in 2022 and last year he lost against Novak Djokovic in the last four.

This year he hopes his improved serve will give him another edge.

The 22-year-old added: “The general level has improved, I think I served a little bit better which helps a lot on this surface and I am trying to return a little bit more aggressive.

“Obviously happy about this year, but Wimbledon is a different tournament and let’s see what I can do there.”

Asked if he can fight for the title, he replied: “It’s always tough to say, Grand Slams are different, but I will try my best and we will see.”