By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, April 27, 2024
Within the afterglow of profitable his maiden main title on the Australian Open, Jannik Sinner shared his stance on stress administration.
“I like to bounce within the strain storm… I prefer it, as a result of that is the place more often than not I convey out my greatest tennis,” Sinner mentioned after roaring again from a two-set deficit to defeat Daniil Medvedev within the AO last.
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At present, Sinner kicked up a clay cyclone in Madrid.
The highest-seeded Sinner stormed by means of seven straight video games in a 6-0, 6-3 demolition of Davis Cup doubles associate and buddy Lorenzo Sonego.
It was an announcement begin from Sinner, who’s seeded first at a Masters 1000 match for the primary time in his life. Sinner carried out like tennis’ most important man.
Sinner, who switched his service stance from a pin-point to a step-up service movement final summer season, was almost flawless on serve. Sinner served 69 %, gained 25 of 29 first-serve factors and repeatedly ripped first strikes into the corners rattling out operating backhand errors from Sonego.
A dominant Sinner is now 26-2 in 2024 and 13-0 vs. fellow Italians.
The problem the Miami Open champion faces is in adapting his aggressive baseline model that has seen him gentle up laborious courts to slower purple clay with out shedding that assertive edge.
Sinner says it’s about discovering the appropriate stability between energy and endurance on the slower floor.
“We got here right here fairly early, so we tried to arrange in the absolute best manner. However within the different manner, I am working very laborious within the health club bodily,” Sinner mentioned. “I’ve to simply accept a few issues extra whereas I play the match, but it surely’s in my thoughts. I do know this.
“That is me looking for a very good rhythm right here, and which the primary purpose is then be in high kind in Roland Garros, no? I feel that is the purpose of all of us. So, yeah, I am simply completely happy to be right here. I imply, final yr I used to be not capable of play right here, so much more excited. Then we see the way it goes this yr.”
Although Sinner has gained solely one in every of his 13 profession titles on clay and his greatest Roland Garros end result got here with a 2020 quarterfinal look, he’s a way more commanding participant now.
In a season that has seen Sinner unsettle the most effective gamers on this planet, can he discover the appropriate stability on the slippery stuff as he takes purpose at Rome, Roland Garros and the Olympic Video games all staged on dust.
“Then after all I dream, I dream large, I dream to win as many titles as doable,” Sinner mentioned. “I made a number of sacrifices going away from residence once I was 14, and that is nonetheless in my thoughts.
“I am working laborious on daily basis to grow to be a greater participant day after day, which is the primary purpose. While you work laborious, while you get up within the morning with the purpose of changing into higher, this is essential.
“The hours you set in, it’s a must to be very targeted concerning the work. However then while you end the work, you additionally want individuals round you who’re good to you, give one thing constructive to you, and I feel it’s a must to discover the appropriate stability which I am making an attempt to do.”
Photograph credit score: Matteo Villalba/Getty