Jannik Sinner returned to New York as the reigning U.S. Open champion, but he made it clear that he doesn’t see himself as defending anything. “I’m not defending. You know, I’m always chasing,” he said, reflecting a mindset that prioritizes hunger over comfort. For Sinner, each tournament begins with a clean slate, and the pressure to perform is ever-present. “Every tournament you start with zero on the first round, and if you don’t play well, you are out of the tournament,” he added.
Lessons from Australia
This is the second time Sinner has entered a Grand Slam as the reigning champion, having won the Australian Open earlier in the year. When asked how that experience shaped his approach in New York, he acknowledged the value of it but emphasized the differences. “Australia helped me a little bit trying to understand, yes, but in the other way, the situation is different, conditions are different, and the mental part is also different,” he said. The journey from January to August has brought growth, and with it, a new perspective.
Focus on performance, not pressure
Sinner is aware of the stakes—not just the title, but the year-end rankings and the expectations that come with being world number one. Still, he chooses to focus on what he can control. “I’m looking to play as good as I can. Then we see the outcome. The rest I cannot really control,” he explained. It’s a philosophy rooted in process rather than results, one that has served him well throughout a season filled with highs and challenges.
Embracing the challenge
Despite the weight of history and the difficulty of repeating at the U.S. Open—a feat no man has accomplished since Roger Federer’s five-year streak ended in 2008—Sinner remains optimistic. “Yeah, it’s all a bit different, but I’m looking forward to it. They’re great challenges,” he said. His attitude reflects not just resilience, but a deep love for the sport and its unpredictable nature.
A new chapter in New York
Sinner began his title defense with a commanding win over Vit Kopriva, dropping just four games in a straight-sets victory. With momentum on his side and a clear mental approach, he now faces Alexei Popyrin in the second round. Whether he lifts the trophy again or not, Sinner’s pursuit is defined not by what he’s defending, but by what he’s still chasing.
Sinner at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2025
Ranked world no.1, the Italian has achieved a composed 33-4 win-loss record in 2025. Jannik is now having a run at the U.S. Open where he toppled the world no.89 Vit Kopriva 6-1 6-1 6-2 and the world no.36 Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-2 6-2.
Jannik Sinner will square off with the world no.29 Denis Shapovalov in the 3rd round. Their current record is 1-0 for Shapovalov.
Jannik clinched 2 titles in 2025 at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Jannik was the runner-up in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia), at the French Open and in Cincinnati (Cincinnati Open).
Sinner won 21 titles in his career: 10 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 8 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)