Jannik Sinner will win his first Grand Slam in 2023 if Novak Djokovic falters, believes Todd Woodbridge 

Although Novak Djokovic appears unbreakable thus far in 2023, Jannik Sinner is being touted by many as the next young player to make a potential breakthrough in Grand Slams this year after Carlos Alcaraz’s sensational US Open run in 2022.

The 21-year-old Italian is the youngest player to reach the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams since Novak Djokovic in 2007-2008. He, however, is yet to make his way across to the semifinals of any of the Majors.

Tennis commentator and former Australian player Todd Woodbridge recently made a bold prediction about Jannik Sinner’s chances at the Grand Slams in 2023. While Woodbridge primarily favors Novak Djokovic to win the calendar year Grand Slam, he believes that the young Italian is a promising choice to win a Major if the World No. 1 falls short.

“I think that if things fall right for Jannik, he certainly is a player that can win his first Major in this season, if Novak Djokovic doesn’t get through on that men’s side,” Todd Woodbridge said on the AO Show. “Big bold prediction that I’ve made.”

Stating his case, the Australian observed that Jannik Sinner's growth has been continual and that the World No. 12 is maturing at the right pace.

“Jannik Sinner. I think he’s just maturing at the right rate. Incrementally just small bits in there and the rise is continual and I think the belief is continual with him also,” he said.

Furthermore, the Italian added renowned tennis coach Darren Cahill to his team in 2022. Cahill has a rich resume – having previously coached the likes of Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Simona Halep. Todd Woodbridge mentioned Cahill’s addition as another factor to increase Sinner’s chances at Grand Slams.

“He’s working with Darren Cahill – one of the most successful coaches that the game has seen over the last 25 years. Darren is just putting into his mind all of the experience of what he knows those Major winners need to have,” the commentator noted.

---

"It's less likely to be Wimbledon" – Todd Woodbridge unsure of Jannik Sinner’s chances in Novak Djokovic’s territory in 2023

Novak Djokovic scored a five-setter comeback win against Jannik Sinner in 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinals

While Todd Woodbridge has placed his faith in Jannik Sinner to win a Grand Slam title in 2023, he doesn’t believe that the Italian, who came very close to toppling seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic in the 2022 quarterfinals, can cross the finish line in the Serb’s territory just yet.

“I think it’s less likely to be Wimbledon,” Woodbridge said.

Nonetheless, he likes Sinner’s chances at the French Open and the US Open.

“More likely to be Roland Garros or probably the US Open, where we saw the incredible tennis that he played to reach the (quarterfinal) with Carlos Alcaraz. I think that that suits him - the US Open – at the moment,” he added.