Daniel Altmaier’s Eyes Jannik Sinner’s Destruction in Shanghai: “I think I’m dangerous to the top people” | ATP Journey
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Altmaier Eyes’s Destruction of Sinners in Shanghai: “I think I’m dangerous to the top people”
Germany faces third tour meeting with Sina on Saturday
October 4, 2025
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Daniel Altmaier competed in the PIF ATP rankings only above his career-high No. 47 in the Shanghai competition.
By ATP staff
Daniel Altmaier has built a reputation as a big gamer and he has an arsenal to prove it.
On Saturday, he will test his talent again as he defends Rolex Shanghai Masters champion Jannik Sinner.
Altmaier overthrew the Italian at the latest meeting of Roland Garros in 2023, and the year before he pushed him to five sets in the U.S. Open. For the 27-year-old German, these are not abnormalities, they are the blueprints of his game.
“I see myself playing tennis with everyone on the tour. That’s why I feel like I’m on those dangers. [top] Guys,” Altmaier, the 49th player in the PIF ATP ranking, told Atptour.com in Shanghai. So, that’s where I plan to keep playing. I think that’s it: I can adjust the game and see weaknesses and other opponents. That’s what you’re going to play, too.”
Altmaier’s figure in 2025’s beliefs are: He beat Taylor Fritz in the first round of Roland Garros (his fifth top 10 win) and scored a five-shot victory at the U.S. Open.
Two major stages, two heavyweight scalp. Now, in the Italians’ opening ceremony facing Sinner’s defending champion in Shanghai, Altmaier has encountered another smell of frustration.
“I really like these challenges, and that’s what I’m aiming for,” said Altmaier, who was 1-1 in the Lexus ATP Head2head series with Sinner. “I’ve been in some great competitions this year. Last week, Taylor Fritz [Denis] Shapovalov…I put them all there [at the top] When they have a good time. They are really elites, they are the best players. I think that’s what I’m really looking forward to, and I think it’s going to be an exciting game. ”
Most of Altmaier’s danger is his one-handed backhand, a shot that is both tingling and subtle. In the game against sinners, he will need every ounce of unpredictability to make the world second. His deadly downline backhand will make sinners give up too much court adventure in their forehand seeking inside and out.
“I think he has the ability to adjust his game, too,” Artemal said of Sina. “That’s one of the elements of my game…I have a few different things. I have a lot of diversity in backhand.
“I have slices, I have backhands that can be flat, I can play more with topspin, I can switch directions. I think one-handed does actually have a lot more than two-handed backhands.”
According to Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Altmaier raised his 2025 record to 17-23 record in 2025 after overcoming the qualifier Tristan Schoolkate in the Shanghai opener. It was a steady rebound after just four weeks of his leg injury to care for, forcing him to retire from his third round of clash with Alex de Minaur in New York.
“Tokyo was my first game after a small injury after the U.S. Open, so I’m happy to have two sets here and play some really good tennis,” Altmar said. “I’m happy with the consistency I’ve gained lately. There’s a lot of challenges throughout the season. This season is a long time and I’ve learned a lot from this year, which is crucial in my career.”
