Rafael Nadal picks Jannik Sinner to win maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in 2023

Jannik Sinner could win his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in 2023, reckons Rafael Nadal. Nadal, a veteran of 36 Masters 1000 titles, feels the Italian's time is finally coming, predicting that the young star could break his 'big title' duck this season.

Speaking in a promotional video for the ATP Tour, the 22-time Grand Slam champion was part of several stars interviewed about who on the men's tour could enjoy the better outing in Masters 1000 events for the year. The Spaniard picked Sinner, pointing out that he has great potential.

"Jannik Sinner. He's young, he's growing, he has great potential, why not?" Nadal said.

Thanasi Kokkinakis echoed a similar sentiment, picking the "classy" Sinner. For the record, Jannik Sinner has reached the final of one Masters event till date (2021 Miami Open) and three other quarterfinals (Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Open and Italian Open, all in 2022)

"He's been knocking on the doors for a little while now and he's class," Kokkinakis added.

John Isner, on the other hand, thinks Casper Ruud, who reached the final of the French Open and the US Open in 2022, could win his first Masters 1000 title.

"Casper Ruud. Think he can get one," Isner said.

Denis Shapovalov, meanwhile, went with his compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime.

"I'm going to go with Felix [Auger-Aliassime]," Shapovalov said.

Daniil Medvedev, however, opted to go with his friend Andrey Rublev, remarking that he would be "really happy" for the Russian if he could finally break his ATP Masters 1000 duck this season.

"I'll go with my friend Andrey [Rublev]. Hopefully he can make it because then I'm going to be really happy for him," Medvedev said.

Rafael Nadal likely to be out of action until the Sunshine Double

2023 Australian Open - Day 3

Rafael Nadal, currently sidelined with a hip injury, is likely to be out of action until the Sunshine Double at least, and is expected to be back in time for the Clay Swing beginning in April. The Spaniard sustained the injury at the Australian Open during his second-round exit, following which his medical team diagnosed him with a Grade 2 injury that will take 6-8 weeks to recover from.

Speaking in a recent interview, Horacio Zeballos, like many other players on tour, hoped to see the 22-time Grand Slam champion back on tour soon, opining that he has often come back from career-threatening injuries before and that he should be favored to do the same once again.

"Like Federer, like Djokovic, Nadal have shown that he can stop and come back with inhuman achievements. He gets injured and then wins, I don’t know, how many more Grand Slams. Age does not help things to be the same as 10 years ago. Seems difficult for him to return to the top level he has shown for so many years, but he never ceases to amaze us. Let’s hope he comes back strongly," he said.