Sinner sees positive side despite loss to Alcaraz: “Reaching this point, I’m obviously very happy”
Jannik Sinner will have to wait for a potential second Grand Slam title in 2024 after he lost to Carlos Alcaraz 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Roland-Garros semi-finals on Friday afternoon. Nonetheless, the reigning Australian Open champion was able to see the positive side of his performance at Roland-Garros. And why not? He … Continued
Jannik Sinner – Imago / Panoramic
Jannik Sinner will have to wait for a potential second Grand Slam title in 2024 after he lost to Carlos Alcaraz 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Roland-Garros semi-finals on Friday afternoon.
Nonetheless, the reigning Australian Open champion was able to see the positive side of his performance at Roland-Garros. And why not? He clinched the No 1 ranking for the first time in his career on his way to his first semi-final appearance at this event, as Novak Djokovic was forced to withdraw prior to the quarter-finals and therefore failed to defend his 2,000 points from last year’s triumph.
It was especially impressive that Sinner was able to win five matches given that he was questionable to even play in Paris due to a hip injury. The Italian competed in just two clay-court tournaments in the lead-up to Roland-Garros and completed only one (lost in the Monte-Carlo quarter-finals and withdrew from Madrid prior to the semis).
There were actually reports in Italian media that Sinner was going to withdraw from the season’s second slam. However, not only did the 22-year-old play but he went all the way to the semi-finals.
it’s part of my growing and the process.
Jannik Sinner
“For sure I’m going to rest the body a little bit,” Sinner assured, “because from doing nothing for nearly three weeks to reaching a point of playing four hours, I could have never expected that. So that’s positive for me.
“Obviously (I’m) disappointed how [the tournament] ended, but it’s part of my growing and the process. Thinking back, before the tournament reaching this point, I’m obviously very happy. In the other way, I’m disappointed about the match today.
“Now I’m just keep looking forward to improve, to trying to do my best I can and then we see what I can do in the future here in this tournament. If we watch the positive side, I have improved from last year, for sure. Yeah, there is another chance to play here for the Olympics.”
GRASS NEXT FOR SINNER
Of course, before the Paris Olympics in late July the grass-court season is next up on the menu. Sinner’s schedule includes Halle and then Wimbledon, where he will be among the top favorites. He lost to Djokovic in the semis at the All-England Club in 2023 before Alcaraz beat the Serb in a five-set championship match.
“Now resting and taking care of the body, for sure, is the main priority,” Sinner noted. “And then trying to be ready for the grass season.
“I will work on the physical stuff, for sure. Maybe (I will take a) couple of days off, then physical stuff. And that’s it. Grass season is different; the preparation is different. You use different muscles. Let’s see how I play in Halle. Obviously Halle is completely different than Wimbledon, but it’s still grass.
“I’m looking forward to it. Last year I had a great Wimbledon, so let’s see what I can do this year.”
