Defeating Jannik Sinner has become one of the toughest tasks in tennis over recent years, yet former British No 1 Tim Henman believes the key strategy to beat the Italian star has been exposed. As Sinner prepares for major ATP events in Indian Wells and Miami, the world No 2 faces a crucial opportunity to close the ranking gap on his rival, Carlos Alcaraz.
After securing two Grand Slam titles in the last two seasons, Sinner’s 2026 start has been marked by disappointment following losses to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals and Jakub Mensic in the Qatar Open. These results have prompted speculation that Sinner’s opponents might be discovering an effective approach against him. Henman suggests that while the method to overcome Sinner is simple in theory, executing it remains a considerable challenge.
Insights from Tim Henman on Strategies Against Sinner
In an exclusive interview with Tennis365 at a Sky Sports event in London, Henman, a four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, highlighted how players like Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Mensic have demonstrated what it takes to triumph over the reigning Wimbledon champion. Henman emphasized that the winning formula is straightforward in concept but difficult in practice.
The way to play Sinner is very easy when you talk about it. Your serve aces and you hit winners,
said Henman, speaking exclusively to Tennis365.
He added that the gap between Alcaraz and Sinner largely comes down to maintaining a consistently high level of performance. Henman reflected on their clashes with Djokovic during the Australian Open, pointing out differences in tactics and adaptability.
“What we saw at the Australian Open was the difference between Alcaraz and Sinner in their two matches against Novak Djokovic,”
Henman explained.
“Sinner has been the best player on hard courts for the last couple of years and even when Djokovic was pushing him, he didn’t change his game. He backed himself to win and he came up short. He tried to fight fire with fire and was just going for it. If anything, that played into Djokovic’s hands.”
Henman contrasted this with Alcaraz’s approach in the final against Djokovic, where Alcaraz showed tactical variation that allowed him to overturn the match after losing the first set 6-2.
He started playing with more height on the ball, used his slice backhand and found a way to win.
Comments from Laura Robson on Sinner’s Current Form
Former British No 1 Laura Robson also weighed in on Sinner’s recent performances during the same Sky Sports Tennis event. She dismissed suggestions that Sinner is struggling following his two early defeats this season, putting his situation into perspective with a touch of humor.
Everyone would love to have a Sinner-style crisis,
Robson told Tennis365 in an exclusive interview at a Sky Sports Tennis event in London.
The Road Ahead for Jannik Sinner and His Competitors
With key tournaments like Indian Wells and Miami imminent, Sinner faces a defining period that could shape the dynamics at the top of men’s tennis. The challenge will be how effectively he responds to the tactical approaches exposed by his recent opponents. Henman’s analysis underscores the difficulty of consistently applying pressure and winning crucial points against Sinner, whose resilience has kept him among the best on hard courts.
For rivals such as Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, finding ways to vary tactics and exploit openings remains essential to closing the gap. Meanwhile, Sinner’s ability to adapt and refine his game will likely determine his success in maintaining or regaining dominance in the months ahead.
