Jannik Sinner Aims to Finally “Find a Good Balance” Before the Sunshine Double Following Qatar Disappointment

Jannik Sinner is yet to reach a championship match on tour this season.

Jannik Sinner Aims to Finally “Find a Good Balance” Before the Sunshine Double Following Qatar Disappointment

Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

In Short
  • Jannik Sinner lost to Jakub Mensik in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open, marking his second defeat of the season.
  • Sinner aims to find a good balance in his game during a two-week break before the Sunshine Doubles.
  • He has never won the Indian Wells tournament and is looking to improve after his recent performances.

Jannik Sinner succumbed to his second defeat this season after falling to Jakub Mensik in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open. The 24-year-old was seeking to use the ATP 500 to bounce back from his disappointing Australian Open campaign, but he came short on Thursday (February 19) against an excellent Mensik.

Sinner has set an unconventional standard that has made him one of the most consistent players in the men’s circuit. His loss to Mensik at the Qatar Open was just his 14th defeat since the 2024 season, yet it seemed uncharacteristic of the Italian star, who has won 138 matches since then.

However, the World No.2 has been far from his best on the court this season. Just three weeks ago, he fell to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. It was a match he was expected to win in straight sets, but he ended up losing to the 38-year-old in five sets after four hours at the Rod Laver Arena.

He then fell to Mensik 6(3)-7, 6-2, 3-6 in the quarter-finals of the Doha Open. Nonetheless, the Sunshine Doubles is next on the calendar for Sinner, and he has already shifted his attention to the tournaments. The World No. 2 has no points to defend until the Italian Open, which gives him room to implement new ideas in his game.

Sinner still has an eye on returning to the top of the ATP rankings, where his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz currently sits. During his post-match press conference at the Qatar Open, Sinner revealed that he aims to use a two-week break to find a good balance before the Indian Wells Open kicks off on March 4:

Physically we are working; I had a few problems after Australia, but now I feel quite good again. This is a good period for us, we have two weeks in which we can work well and put fuel in the tank for the next tournaments. I’m trying to find a good balance: in Australia I was a bit under par, in this match I tried to push a bit more, but here too I have to find the balance. In general everything is fine, I’m not making a problem of this moment. It’s all okay.

Sinner has never won the Indian Wells in his career. The California desert is one of the most difficult places to play on tour as sometimes the conditions can be awkward for players. However, Sinner won the Miami Open in 2024 after beating Grigor Dimitrov in the final. Last year, he didn’t feature at the tournament as he was still serving a three-month suspension.

Jannik Sinner admits need for improvement after exiting the Qatar Open

One of Jannik Sinner’s main weapons on the court has been his standout serve and forehand shots. But against Jakub Mensik, the Italian star was troubled by the Czech Republic star’s powerful serves. Mensik won 83 percent of his first-serve points in the opening set, making it difficult for Sinner to return and limiting his chances to apply too much pressure.

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

In the third set, Sinner conceded an early break, which was pivotal to Mensik gaining control and claiming the victory. During the aforementioned press conference, Sinner noted that he had few chances to challenge or break the Czech Republic star in the first and third sets. He added that there are areas he hopes to improve on:

It’s a match that went how it went, now let’s see where we can improve. We’re serene, there’s no disaster. Obviously we are working to win as many matches as possible, these are moments that happen and I’m okay. I will dig myself out of this, I’m sure of it.In the first set, he served very, very well, 90% first serves and very angled, I had few chances to break.

Mensik currently holds a 4-2 lead over opponents in the top 5 of the ATP rankings, a tally that includes the victory against Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Miami Open. He is currently ranked World No.13 in ATP Live Rankings, and should he reach the final, he might overtake Daniil Medvedev.

Also Read: Andrea Petkovic Warns Carlos Alcaraz to Be Wary of Umpire Marija Cicak After Argument in Doha: “She’ll Destroy You Mentally and Emotionally”