Jannik Sinner Explains Why Indoor Hardcourts Suit His Game Well After Booking Semifinal Spot in Turin
Jannik Sinner is bidding to defend his ATP Finals title and will next face Ben Shelton.
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Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)
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Jannik Sinner has booked his spot in the semifinals of the ATP Finals, becoming the first player in the draw to do so. He is now on a 28-match winning streak in indoor hardcourt events.
On November 12, in a clash between two former ATP Finals champions, the World No.2 clinched a tough straight-set win over Alexander Zverev, winning his fifth consecutive victory, improving his head-to-head record to 6-4. During the press conference, Sinner explained why hard courts suit his game well.
I feel like it suits my game style very well. It’s easier also in practice sessions to find rhythm. That’s it. I feel like when someone hits fast, it’s very difficult to change the pace of the ball. So this for sure helps me a lot when playing indoors. In the same time, I also try to change the pace because it is essential and it is important, especially with the difference of the players you play against. But yeah, you don’t have the wind, you don’t have the sun.
Sinner will next be clashing with Ben Shelton, one of the two players who made their debut in the event. The 24-year-old holds a 7-1 head-to-head over the American ace, winning their last seven encounters, which includes their three meetings this season. Shelton is no longer in the semifinal contention as he lost both of his round-robin matches against Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Jannik Sinner on the No.1 ranking battle with Carlos Alcaraz
The winner of the ATP Finals between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be the year-end No.1. The Italian lost his position when he lost the US Open final.
Alcaraz was then dethroned from the top following Sinner’s Paris Masters triumph. Before Paris, Sinner also won the Vienna Open. But he dropped to the second spot in the live ATP Finals as he is the defending champion. At the press conference in Turin, when Sinner was asked about the No.1 ranking, he said he would be genuinely happy if his arch-rival ends up winning the year-end trophy.
If Carlos earns the year-end No.1, I’ll genuinely be happy for him. I’m satisfied with where I stand, already into the semifinals — whatever comes next, comes. This is only my 12th tournament of the season, and it’s been a crazy year with the way I’ve played.
Alcaraz kick-started his season by defeating Alex de Minaur, following which, he won his second match against last year’s runner-up, Taylor Fritz. The six-time Grand Slam champion will next be locking horns with Lorenzo Musetti, against whom he holds a 6-1 head-to-head lead.
Alcaraz has never advanced to the championship match. Back in 2023, he played his first semifinal but was no match for eventual champion Novak Djokovic. Last year, his run ended in the round-robin stage. Alcaraz has clinched the most titles this season, including his career’s first indoor hardcourt trophy. The 22-year-old has taken home eight trophies from 10 finals, including the French Open and Wimbledon.
Sinner, on the other hand, has clinched five titles from nine finals, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. If Sinner ends up defending the title, he will pocket $5,071,000 as he remained undefeated in the round-robin stage.
Sinner trails 5-10 in the head-to-head clashes with Alcaraz. In their last eight encounters, Sinner could win just once, in the Wimbledon final this year. The second seed at the ATP Finals lost four matches out of the five he played against the first seed this season. They last met in the US Open final, which Alcaraz won in four sets.
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