Ex-US Open Finalist Downplays Jannik Sinner's 2026 Struggles

Greg Rusedski believes the world No. 2's recent losses are just a 'minor blip' and won't continue.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a tennis match or tournament action, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic movement and competition on the court.Sinner's early 2026 stumbles spark debate over the impact of rising parity in men's tennis.Indian Wells Today

Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski has downplayed Jannik Sinner's early 2026 struggles, labeling them a 'minor blip' and expressing confidence that the world No. 2 will soon regain his dominant form. Sinner, who won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2024 and 2025, suffered two losses in his first two events of 2026 before the Indian Wells Masters.

Why it matters

Sinner's early 2026 results have raised questions about whether his recent dominance is starting to wane, but Rusedski believes the increased parity on tour has simply raised the bar for everyone, and that Sinner's potential remains intact.

The details

After falling just short of a three-peat at the 2026 Australian Open, losing to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, Sinner took a two-week break before returning to action in Doha. He started strong, defeating Tomas Machac and Alexei Popyrin, but his run ended in the quarterfinals with a loss to Jakub Mensik. This comes after Sinner lost only six times in 2025, making his two losses in 2026 stand out.

  • Sinner won the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025.
  • Sinner lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open semifinals.
  • Sinner took a two-week break after the Australian Open.
  • Sinner returned to action in Doha, where he lost in the quarterfinals to Jakub Mensik.

The players

Jannik Sinner

A 24-year-old Italian tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 2 and has won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2024 and 2025.

Greg Rusedski

A former British professional tennis player who reached the final of the 1997 US Open.

Novak Djokovic

A Serbian professional tennis player who defeated Sinner in the 2026 Australian Open semifinals.

Tomas Machac

A Czech professional tennis player who Sinner defeated in Doha.

Alexei Popyrin

An Australian professional tennis player who Sinner defeated in Doha.

Jakub Mensik

A Czech professional tennis player who defeated Sinner in the quarterfinals of the Doha tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Jannik Sinner's recent results are just a minor blip, and he will soon regain his dominant form.”

— Greg Rusedski, Former US Open Finalist

What’s next

Sinner's next big test will be the Indian Wells Masters, where he hasn't played since 2024. A strong showing there could set the tone for a successful 2026 season and potentially reclaim his first title in the desert.

The takeaway

While Sinner's early 2026 struggles have raised questions about his form, Rusedski believes the increased parity on tour has simply raised the bar for everyone, and that Sinner's potential remains intact. If the top players stay healthy and sharp, Sinner's 2026 season could still deliver major breakthroughs.