HALLE, GERMANY — A week can be a long time in tennis. Just ask Jannik Sinner.
Last Sunday, the world No. 1 suffered one of the toughest losses of his career after failing to convert three championship points against Carlos Alcaraz in the longest Roland Garros final of all-time.
But just seven days later, the Italian is rejuvenated and ready for the grass season—and it’s all thanks to his friends and family.
Sinner went straight from Paris to his hometown Sexten in South Tyrol to reunite with those who know him best.
“I relaxed a lot with my family, had a barbecue, played table tennis with my friends. Just normal stuff, nothing special,” Sinner explained on his arrival in Halle, Germany, ahead of Monday’s Terra Wortmann Open. “I always like going home when there’s a lot going on. I feel very safe with my family and friends, that’s why. They know what I’m like and what I used to be like. That’s why they know me very, very well and didn’t do much.”
It sounds idyllic, but the three-time Grand Slam champion admitted it’s been tough to forget the memory of Sunday’s final and the three match points that he wasn’t able to convert.
“I’ve had a few sleepless nights because of that,” he confessed. “But yes, I think it’s getting better every day. My family is behind me, all my friends and the circle of friends I have. That’s the most important thing for me. They’re doing well, so outside of tennis, that’s an even more important part of my life.”
Focusing on the positives
With the clay-court season now behind him, the switch to grass has been a fresh start for Sinner. He arrives in Halle as the defending champion, with an adoring German fanbase that has welcomed him with open arms.
“I’ll try to forget the negative stuff and see what I can do here. I think playing in a tournament again is positive for me because every game starts at 0-0 and you always have to be mentally prepared to fight for every point on the court. That’s why it’s great for me to be back here in Halle and see how it goes,” he said.
“The most important thing now is to get back to 100% for this tournament. The first grass match will be very, very difficult, as you know, but I’m very happy to be here.”