By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Emotional hangovers can hang-out even skilled gamers.
Jannik Sinner says he is shaken off the ATP Finals thrashing he absorbed by the hands of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s last and is able to roll within the Davis Cup Finals.
“I feel each participant ultimately of the season is somewhat bit drained. Not solely bodily but additionally mentally,” Sinner mentioned. “It has been a very lengthy season for all of us. Clearly each week is totally different.
“I got here right here not so way back, however bodily I really feel able to compete 100%. Tomorrow I’ve nonetheless one apply day, which I’ll use to apply, but additionally making an attempt to relaxation.”
A robust Italian squad of Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Lorenzo Sonego, Matteo Arnaldi and Simone Bolelli face The Netherlands in Thursday’s 10 a.m. quarterfinal on the indoor arduous court docket of Malaga, Spain.
Tallon Griekspoor, Botic Van de Zandschulp, Wesley Koolhof, Matwe Middelkoop lead captain Paul Haarhuis’ Dutch squad.
Griekspoor mentioned Sinner is enjoying the most effective tennis of his profession proper now, but additionally figures to be fatigued coming off 5 matches in eight days in Turin.
“I feel he is enjoying the most effective tennis he is ever been enjoying in his life,” Griekspoor mentioned of Sinner. “Enjoying the Finals of the Masters is one thing actually huge.
Yeah, it may be a very, actually arduous and difficult match, however I am wanting ahead to it. Powerful problem, however I really feel like I’ve an opportunity.
“I’ll get some possibilities right here and there, going to be actually arduous, should play my greatest. Such as you mentioned, hopefully he is a bit drained. He performed loads, the Italian crowd behind him all week. Yeah, robust match. That is all I can say for now. Trying ahead to face him on Thursday.”
The winner of the Italy vs. Netherlands quarterfinal will play both a Serbian squad led by Djokovic or a British crew headed by Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper.
Italy is the one crew that boasts three gamers—Sinner, Sonego and Musetti—who’ve scored a singles win over Djokovic.
World No. 4 Sinner, the primary Italian within the 54-year historical past of the ATP Finals to contest the title match, mentioned the Italian crew is concentrated on capturing its first Davis Cup since 1976.
“I feel it is a actually, actually necessary week for all of us. Got here right here yesterday with clearly good emotions,” Sinner mentioned. “It would not actually matter what occurred final week. Right here is totally new scenario.
“It is a crew occasion, so completely happy to hitch the Italian crew. Clearly completely happy that, , the captain took additionally me as a participant. Then let’s examine what’s coming for this week.
“I feel we’ve got a very good and powerful crew. We’ve many, many choices to placed on the court docket, after which we see the way it goes. We’ll give 100%, after which we see what the tip consequence shall be.”
Picture credit score: Matthew Calvis