“I will for sure come back stronger” – Sinner in defiant mood despite second-round loss

Jannik Sinner believes he can learn from his epic five-set loss to Daniel Altmaier, despite the pain of an early exit in Paris

Sinner in tough loss Roland-Garros 2023 © JB Autissier / Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

June 1, 2023

Jannik Sinner was the first to admit that he let too many chances pass him by during his heart-breaking loss to Daniel Altmaier – a five-set epic that stands as the fifth-longest match in Roland-Garros history.

It is certainly true that the young Italian let far too many opportunities go begging – he only converted six of 21 break points he was able to generate. He also served for the match at the end of the fourth set before being pegged back by his tenacious opponent.

“I had my opportunities. I couldn’t find a right way how to win the points. I was a little bit unfortunate at some points. Also match point I smashed, and he played it on the tape of the net,” said Sinner of his failure to take his break point chances.

But, as well as acknowledging his mistakes, Sinner was in surprisingly defiant and optimistic mood in the aftermath of such a devastating loss.

“But, you know, this is the sport. I will for sure come back stronger. I knew it was a tough last two tournaments, no?

Sinner rues missed chances in Roland-Garros epic

“I put myself maybe a little bit too much expectations or pressure, call it however you want, and, you know, it’s part of the game.”

Sinner has enjoyed a very successful season so far this year, and the Italian is aware that this loss – while a setback – does not detract from the context of a season in which he has made some significant gains.

“I feel like the season is going good. I played a lot of matches. But for sure the last two tournaments were not that what I was expecting.”

This defeat will be a difficult pill to swallow in the short term as a golden chance to go deep in a Grand Slam he has thrived at in the past has now passed him by.

But, if Sinner can take the lessons from this match and apply it positively to the tournaments to come, this loss may be crystallised in future memory as one that helped forge a tougher, more resilient player.

As Sinner himself put it, “It is a tough one to swallow, but, you know, I keep going.”