Lindsey Vonn likens Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner to tennis great Roger Federer after Australian Open win

Skiing superstar Lindsey Vonn has likened Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner to tennis legend Roger Federer.

Vonn has known the rising star of tennis for a number of years, with Sinner describing the time they skied together in 2022 as “truly special”.

They have also shared a tennis court together – and Vonn has watched his progress with interest.

Vonn was cheering on from afar as Sinner made his way through the draw at the Australian Open.

Debate continues to rage as to the GOAT of the men’s game. Swiss master Federer is in that conversation, and Vonn feels the fearless attitude Sinner has on court reminds her of the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

“He really reminds me of Roger, to be honest,” Vonn said. “If he’s under pressure, and he’s got to serve, he’s got match point or something, the perspective is that if he misses the point, nothing is going to happen.

“It’s not like in skiing, where if you don’t take the turn right, you crash, and you could potentially hurt yourself very badly.

“So it’s the kind of fearlessness that he puts everything out there no matter what the situation. And that perspective, I think, is really different from most people, most athletes, and I think he uses that to his advantage.”

At 22, Sinner has time on his side to improve and add to his major tally – and Vonn feels the Italian will take his game to a new level.

“In just the few years that I’ve known him, I definitely see his confidence level growing,” Vonn said. “He’s talked about it publicly, but [he is] just getting stronger physically.

“He’s a really tall, lanky man and he’s definitely trying to fill that out and get stronger. But he’s just maturing, he’s growing and he’s only going to get better.

“I’m excited to watch him continue to succeed in his career.”