[runetime]

Absolutely. He can go flat, topsin, play defensively, etc.

 

[BullGOAT]

Absolutely. He can go flat, topsin, play defensively, etc.

I'm not convinced that it's reliable when he's stretched out wide.

 

[FilipoSVK]

Good post. I'm even willing to be ok with Sinner's FH being argued top 15, which is extremely high on such a list. Far from an insult. Happy @FilipoSVK? His FH has a very special swing path (I researched it on YouTube out of curiosity, actually), and his FH almost works like a ball tracker, giving Sinner time for self-correction, which is quite insane at that level (when balls come at you at insane speed). On the other hand, Alcaraz has to actually pinpoint a target with his FH like Federer (less margin for error but insane reward if executed perfectly; that's usually the case with straight-arm FHs like Delpo, Nadal and Verdasco). Sinner has perfect preparation with his FH; the FH fits his game perfectly, too. If he had another type of FH, he might actually be worse off. People need to keep in mind that each FH here also serves a purpose of complementing one's overall game. Agassi needed his FH to be so great at taking the ball early. Same with the BH. Federer might have been worse with a two-hander. Djokovic could easily be worse off if he tried to hit big FHs like Gonzalez (he simply can't consistently anyway, so it's smarter to do what he does best and be a counterpunching demon).

This topic, while based on some objectivity, is also largely subjective. I picked Delpo's FH as the greatest, but that's also somewhat reasonable due to his ridiculous power output from that wing and ability to hit so hard (with spin too) from almost all situations. Few other choices can make sense, too.

Sinner FH doesn't lack much at all and fits his game, but there are some players who have more special and arguably more damaging FHs. You can't be the best at every shot. His BH is arguably top 5 all-time, as I said. So both of Sincaraz have a wing that is arguably top 5 all-time material. And it's not like the gap between a lot of these shots is THAT big. We are comparing super elite shots at the very highest levels (in history) after all. However, there are a few things that are noticeably clear: like Federer having a bigger FH than Djokovic or Agassi.

And yes, extremely good FH on the run.

I didn't expect anyone tagging me here anymore, but okay, I'll give my reaction. I agree with this, it's a fair way of putting it. Sinner's FH might not look as 'classical' or explosive as some of the other candidates on your list (or on lists of anyone else here), but it's still highly effective for his game style. I also think people sometimes underrate the importance of consistency under extreme pressure. You can take other players' best balls over and over and still redirect them with great depth and at an even higher pace. It's a massive weapon, even if Sinner doesn't produce the same instant highlight reels with it as Del Potro, Alca, or Fed did.

And I fully agree on the running FH point. The fact that he can regularly generate so much control and pace on the run really separates him from most of the field over the entire Open Era, not just today. It's the kind of shot that makes less sense if you isolate it just technically, but at the same time makes perfect sense in the context of Sinner's overall game.