Panatta reveals: Sinner harbors “Grand Slam” ambitions, aiming to replicate Laver’s feat in the 2026 season

Italian tennis legend Adriano Panatta recently made a striking statement during an interview with Sky Sports Italy, revealing that world No. 2 Jannik Sinner’s 2026 campaign is aimed not just at becoming world No. 1, but also at an astonishing target — the calendar-year Grand Slam.

Panatta considers Sinner’s choice to extend his collaboration with esteemed coach Darren Cahill until 2026 as a strong indicator of his serious intent.

“In my view, Jannik has a ‘hidden agenda’: to accomplish the calendar-year Grand Slam,” the former world No. 4 stated plainly. “His decision to keep working with Cahill shows he is seriously considering this goal.”

Since Rod Laver’s remarkable achievement in 1969, no male player has managed to win all four majors in a single season. Even Novak Djokovic fell short in 2021 at the final hurdle. Panatta believes Sinner’s current team setup and determination are perfectly aligned to challenge this historic milestone.

The timing is ideal for Sinner’s Grand Slam pursuit

Panatta points out that the timing for Sinner’s Grand Slam bid is more favorable than during the “Big Three” era, based mainly on two factors:

1. Fewer competitors:

“Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic failed to achieve this for a reason — players like Murray and many others were still in the mix. Now, the main obstacle is just Alcaraz.” Panatta believes the shift from a crowded field to primarily a duel has effectively doubled Sinner’s chances of winning.

2. Physical conditioning and schedule advantage:

Thanks to a three-month suspension in 2025, Sinner’s body had ample time to rest. Panatta emphasized, “Don’t forget, Sinner played three months less this year. Next year, he will participate in four additional Masters 1000 events; managing his schedule will be nearly as important as training.” This physical “bonus” will be crucial for enduring the long season.

3. Age advantage. The Big Three faced fierce competition when younger. When Djokovic attempted the Grand Slam in 2021, he was already 34. After winning the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, he ultimately faltered at the US Open against Medvedev due to fatigue. In 2023, at 36, Djokovic won the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open but lost Wimbledon to 20-year-old Alcaraz. Currently, Sinner is 25, full of energy, and as long as he stays healthy, anything is possible.

Sinner’s edge compared to Alcaraz

In Panatta’s opinion, Sinner’s greater consistency over Alcaraz is a key factor for his Grand Slam challenge.

“Regarding player type, Sinner is better equipped to win a Grand Slam because he is more stable and solid,” Panatta commented.

Of course, he also acknowledged Alcaraz’s threat: “Carlos has moments where he plays in an unstoppable way. But clearly, these assessments exclude injury factors.”

Moreover, Alcaraz recently parted ways with his veteran coach Ferrero, which seems to tip the scales slightly in Sinner’s favor.

Sinner’s 2026 season will kick off with a highly anticipated showdown. On January 10, he will face his old rival Alcaraz in an exhibition match in Incheon, South Korea. This will serve not only as a vital warm-up before the Australian Open but also as a preview of their battle for dominance in the new season.

Currently, Sinner holds four Grand Slam titles: the Australian Open (2024/2025), US Open (2024), and Wimbledon (2025), with the French Open being the only one missing. He narrowly lost the 2025 Roland Garros final to Alcaraz, which will be the biggest obstacle on his path to completing the Grand Slam in 2026.

The 2026 Australian Open will begin on January 18. For Sinner, this is not just a title defense but also the first step in his “calendar-year Grand Slam” plan. According to Panatta, this 24-year-old Italian rising star may indeed have a real chance to make history this year.

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