Jannik Sinner Admits to Having ‘Little Downturn’ After Qatar Open Upset: “I Know How to Come Back”

Jakub Mensik downed Jannik Sinner in the Qatar Open quarterfinals in their career's first head-to-head meeting.

Jannik Sinner Admits to Having ‘Little Downturn’ After Qatar Open Upset: “I Know How to Come Back”

Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

In Short
  • Jannik Sinner lost to Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open, marking a downturn in his performance.
  • Despite recent defeats, Sinner remains focused on improving and aims for success at Roland Garros.
  • Sinner has a strong track record, having reached 15 finals and won 10 titles in his last 19 tournaments.

Jannik Sinner crashed out of the Qatar Open with a 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 upset to Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals on Thursday (February 19). After two incredible seasons, the four-time Grand Slam champion is now dealing with a slump.

Sinner, who has developed a reputation for being extremely consistent, is now 7-2 this season. Before entering the Qatari capital, the World No.2 failed to complete a three-peat of the Australian Open trophy with a five-set defeat at the hands of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

The last time he lost two matches in consecutive events without making the final was in 2024, losing in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the Canadian Open. Since his defeat in Montreal, the former World No.1 played 19 tournaments, reaching the finals 15 times, winning 10 titles. It’s his arch-rival, Carlos Alcaraz, who beat him in those five finals.

But Sinner possesses a champion’s mindset and knows how to overcome obstacles (think how he continued to produce a high level of tennis consistently while dealing with the doping scandal).

Every player faces ups and downs. I’ve had two incredible years, and now I’m having a little downturn, but it’s not something that worries me. I know I can play better tennis, but Jakub played and served really well. We all have ups and downs in our jobs, so I’m not worried. We try to improve in every tournament I enter: I’d like to go as far as possible, but it’s normal to go through some tough times; I’ve had even tougher ones in the past. I know how to come back.

Jannik Sinner told Ubitennis after the match

It’s not the first time Mensik, who now leads 1-0 against Sinner, caused a huge upset. Last year, he denied Djokovic his record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title with a straight-set win in the Miami Open final. Mensik, after clinching the biggest win of his career by ranking, has set up a semifinal clash with Arthur Fils, who breezed past Jiri Lehecka.

Jannik Sinner sets his eyes on Roland Garros

Jannik Sinner missed last year’s Roland Garros trophy by the slightest of margins. He lost the title to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz after wasting a 2-0 lead and three championship points. In spite of his two defeats this season, Sinner has his eyes set on the clay-court Major, winning which will make him the seventh man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Jannik Sinner (3)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

One of my biggest goals will be Roland Garros, but that goal is still far away. We’ve seen that all players have struggled throughout their careers, but I wouldn’t call this ‘fatigue’ yet (smiles). I’ve only lost a couple of matches. I also have to remember what I’ve done in the last three years, where I’ve won a lot of matches and lost very few. The confidence to play good tennis is there, it’s there. Indian Wells is usually a tournament where I struggle a bit; we’ll see what happens there, while in Miami, I’ve always played well.

Jannik Sinner told Ubitennis

Sinner missed both the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open last year due to his three-month doping ban. In the first leg of the Sunshine Doubles, the South Tyrol native has yet to make the final, losing twice in the semifinal stage (2023 and 2024).

Sinner added the Miami Open to his trophy cabinet in 2024 by defeating Grigor Dimitrov. He also made the finals in 2021 (lost to Hubert Hurkacz) and in 2023 (lost to Daniil Medvedev). So far in his career, Sinner has won five Masters 1000 titles.

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