The world number 2, Jannik Sinner, is one of the favorites for the tournament, although he has never shone on clay. But his latest results, including his first Major won in Melbourne, speak in his favor.
France Télévisions – Sports Editorial
Published on 04/07/2024 7:21 p.m.
Reading time: 4 min Italian Jannik Sinner at the Monte-Carlo tournament (Monaco), in 2022. (MAXPPP)
He is one of the most anticipated headliners in Monte-Carlo. At 22, Jannik Sinner has reached a milestone in recent months, with a first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon last summer, before a first major title at the Australian Open in January. Since then, he has also been crowned in Rotterdam and Miami.
If his last season on earth was not the most prolific, he nevertheless reached the semi-finals on the Rock. A year later, a Major in his pocket and confidence gained, the Italian, world number 2, could well also prove himself on ocher. Ahead of the tournament, Jannik Sinner spoke to the press about his feelings and his new status.
What is your relationship with this tournament? What does he mean to you? What are your expectations regarding your current status?
Jannik Sinner: I really like this tournament because I live here, so I always come here to train and it’s very special to see the venue in a different way. The crowd is generally great and there are a lot of Italians. Expectations are not very high for the start of the clay court season. But the goal is to be ready for Roland Garros and, hopefully, for the Olympics. We’re going to take this week as a training week with hopefully more than one game to play.
You say that you have a little trouble on clay. For what ?
I say I struggle because it’s not the surface where I feel most comfortable generally. I’m more comfortable on hard, which doesn’t mean I’m not a good player on clay. I played my first Grand Slam quarter-finals at Roland Garros. I reached the quarter-finals in Rome. Last year wasn’t my best season on clay, so I hope I can change that this year.
I am convinced that I can be a good player, including on clay. It takes time, that’s for sure. Between the ages of 14 and 20, I trained a lot on this surface. But since most tournaments are played on hard courts, you play a little less on dirt.
You are very popular in Italy, and in Monaco too, where you live. Can you tell us about your new status, acquired after your first Grand Slam title?
It’s a nice feeling, especially when I participate in tournaments, because I have a great connection with the audience. It’s incredible. I have lived in Monaco since I was 18. We feel safe and, above all, the organization is good throughout the year, because there are many activities offered on the site.
There are clay courts and hard courts, a fitness room and there are plenty of players to train with. It’s amazing to live here. I’m only there three or four months, because the rest of the time I travel to tournaments. But when I come back, I always feel good here.
What you achieved at the Australian Open, mentally, in the final, is quite impressive. Riccardo Piatti, your former coach, said that what struck him most when you were a teenager was your mental strength. Do you think this is your main strength?
I had and still have to work on it. The mind is the only thing you can control throughout the match or your life in general off the court. But we also need to understand what is happening. It’s easy to say, but when you’re in a very difficult situation, it’s not so simple sometimes. I try to control my mind and my head in a way that helps me on the court.
There’s pressure, but it’s good pressure and I’m excited to be in this position and live a normal life too. When I get off the field, when I get out of the gym and go home, I’m a normal person and that’s the most important thing for me. So there’s the work I’ve chosen to do – which is my passion, but there’s also normal life.
Comments collected at a press conference.
2024-04-07 17:21:08
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