“I wouldn’t teach it…” – Jannik Sinner says one of his favorite moves might cause injury
One of the most important skills for any men’s tennis player is a powerful first serve that feels like it could break through anything. Jannik Sinner is famous for having just that. The Italian star is aiming to win the last big title he’s missing at Roland Garros, especially since his big rival, Carlos Alcaraz, won’t be there.
Sinner has already won the US Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon. As the world’s number one player right now, many expect him to do well at the French Open near Paris in the coming weeks. Last year, Alcaraz beat him in the final, but this time Sinner has a great chance to serve his way to victory without the Spaniard in the mix.
If you’re hoping to learn from Sinner’s style to improve your own game, you might want to think carefully. A well-respected coach has pointed out a reason why his powerful forehand might not be the best model for everyone. Sinner’s forehand involves a lot of wrist movement and a special grip and racket angle.
Kyle Kleyn, a coach at Aphrodite Hills Racket Club, explained, “Sinner’s swing starts in his shoulder, and he stays very relaxed there. If your shoulder is tense, you won’t get that same racket speed. If I coached a player trying to copy Sinner’s forehand, I wouldn’t stop them, but I’d focus on their timing. That’s the most important part of the shot.”
Kleyn adds that while Sinner is strong enough to use this style, it’s tough for regular club players to hit that forehand consistently. Former British number one Greg Rusedski agrees, warning that younger or less fit players should be careful trying to copy it unless they’re extremely fit and strong.
“If you want to try, go for it, but make sure your shoulder is super flexible, strong, and you’re in great shape,” Rusedski says.
Looking ahead, Sinner will try to win Wimbledon in June and July, which would be his second time winning back-to-back major titles. He won the Australian Open in 2024 and defended that title the next year. In 2026, he was knocked out in the semis by Novak Djokovic.