Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner, fresh off his historic Australian Open victory, acknowledges the newfound respect from his rivals but is prepared for increased scrutiny as he returns to official competition at the Open 500 in Rotterdam.
Sinner stunned the tennis world by defeating Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and orchestrating an epic five-set comeback against Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final. Speaking to MARCA on Saturday, the newly-crowned champion shared his perspective on the evolving dynamics with his competitors.
“They respect me more, but at the same time, they know me more and they know my weaknesses more,” Sinner explained. “I have to be prepared for it, and that’s why I train. Let’s see how I react to this situation. The majority of tennis players now are not going to have anything to lose against me, and it is something different from the past because they will play with less pressure.”
Sinner acknowledges the challenges that come with newfound respect and scrutiny, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high level of play and adapting to the increased attention from opponents.
The Italian player also expressed optimism about the future of tennis, highlighting the diversity in playing styles among the next generation of stars, including Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune.
“There are many young players who are playing at a high level; we also have Daniil [Medvedev] and Sascha [Alexander Zverev],” he said. “It is true that Carlos and I are the youngest, along with Holger. Each one is different both at the game level and mentally, and that is the beautiful thing to see, that we are not the same and that each one is different from the other. The future is going to be interesting.”
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Sinner’s observations hint at a promising era for tennis, with a mix of emerging talents showcasing unique styles and mental approaches. As the young champion navigates the challenges of heightened expectations, the tennis world eagerly anticipates the unfolding narrative of the sport’s next generation.
Jannik Sinner in 2024
LWWWWWWWWW Now ranked no.4 (career-high), Sinner played his last match on the 28th of January when he beat world no.3 Daniil Medvedev 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open to win his 12th career title.
Presently, during this year Jannik has managed to achieve a composed 7-0 record. This year, the Italian lifted the trophy at the Australian Open.
Sinner is scheduled to play next in Rotterdam (ABN AMRO Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 12th of February.
