Australian Open 2024 champion Jannik Sinner believes tennis needs a fresh generation of champions.
The 22-year-old Italian clinched his breakthrough Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open on Sunday.
After the five-set win over Daniil Medvedev, Sinner became the first Melbourne Park winner in 10 years not named Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer — the trio who have dominated tennis for two decades.
Djokovic has continued to excel in his mid-thirties which has delayed the decline of the "Big Three" but with Federer now retired and Nadal looking set to join him this year, space has opened up for others to take their place at the top of the game.
"It's quite unpredictable what's coming in the future but still it's nice to be part of this generation," Sinner said as he was photographed with his trophy in Melbourne's Botanical Gardens on Monday.
"I think the next generation is something that this sport needs and it's also a little bit of a game-changer."
Sinner was the youngest Australian Open men's singles winner since Djokovic bagged the first of his 10 Melbourne Park titles in 2008 and even though he beat the 24-times Grand Slam champion in the last four, the Italian was not inviting comparisons.
"He is a different league," he said. "I'm just happy I have this trophy for this year and then we see what's coming. There is still a lot of work to do but I will enjoy my process and then we see what I can achieve in the future."
Sinner, known for his clean hitting, also displayed his cool demeanour on court on Sunday as he withstood an early onslaught from Medvedev before staging a massive comeback from two sets down to clinch the title.
Although he fell to the Rod Laver Arena court after the match-winning point, there was no huge display of emotions as Sinner celebrated the biggest victory of his career.
"There were so many emotions in my head and the hard work and the sacrifices I've done throughout my career," he explained.
"Sharing this moment with my team was maybe the best feeling I've had until now.
"It's great emotions, I was just happy, yesterday I still maybe couldn't believe and now I'm starting to realise it, so it's a great feeling."