Jannik Sinner Responds to Roger Federer’s Controversial Claims of Slower Courts Giving Him Advantage

Jannik Sinner will lock horns with Marin Cilic to kick-start his campaign at the China Open.

Jannik Sinner Responds to Roger Federer’s Controversial Claims of Slower Courts Giving Him Advantage

Roger Federer, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/We Are Tennis, Jannik Sinner HQ)

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Roger Federer made a shocking statement during Andy Roddick‘s Served post. He claimed that the tournament directors are intentionally slowing the speed of the courts so that only those who hit aggressively can challenge Jannik Sinner.

As per Federer, slow courts eventually help Sinner reach the final and face Carlos Alcaraz, whom he has met five times already this season and won only at Wimbledon, losing the Italian Open, French Open, Cincinnati Masters (gave him the walkover), and the US Open. Now, Federer’s comment has sparked controversy and definitely did not go down well with Sinner fans.

The Italian is in Beijing, bidding to win his third title of the season at the China Open. During the pre-tournament press conference, Sinner made his feelings known on Federer’s comments.

Hard courts are sometimes very similar. Sometimes there are small changes. One tournament that stands out is Indian Wells, because the ball really bounces high. The way the ball behaves on that court is a bit different. We have more or less similar playing conditions on the circuit. It’s been that way for a long time; I don’t know if there will be a change. I’m a player who tries to adapt as best as possible. I feel like I’m doing a good job in that regard.

Sinner will clash with Marin Cilic to kick-start his campaign. Last year, he suffered a three-set defeat to Alcaraz, who will compete at the Japan Open for the first time, and will meet Sebastian Baez in his debut match. The Spaniard will chase his eighth title of the season as well as his third ATP 500 title after victories at the Rotterdam Open and the Queen’s Club Championships.

Alcaraz recently participated in the Laver Cup, co-founded by Federer. Although last year his win over Taylor Fritz helped Team Europe break Team World’s dominance, this year, his matches did not help his team win their sixth title. The next tournament where both Alcaraz and Sinner will play is the Shanghai Masters, where Alcaraz lost in the quarterfinals, while Sinner clinched the win by beating Novak Djokovic.

Jannik Sinner on physiotherapist Alejandro Resnicoff

Jannik Sinner‘s coaching staff regularly made headlines when his doping case came into the light last year. After firing fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara and physio Giacomo Naldi, as well as their replacements, Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, Sinner’s team is finally complete.

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

He won Wimbledon without a physio or a fitness trainer. An elbow injury during his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov saw him getting treatment from physio Alejandro Resnicoff, who at that time was working for the ATP.

Sinner has now hired him. It was Resnicoff, who, during the Miami Open, did a “miracle” on Jakub Mensik. The eventual winner (who beat Novak Djokovic in the final) was on the verge of withdrawing due to his knee injury. As the umpire was having lunch, Mensik decided to get some treatment from Resnicoff and eventually played.

He’s a very experienced physiotherapist, obviously having been on the ATP Tour for about 15 years. He really has a lot of experience. He also respects the way we are as a team. He doesn’t come in and change everything. If he sees that we have or could potentially improve something for my body, he’s here to help. That’s how it works. But it also takes time. I’ve worked with him a bit in the years when I didn’t have my own physiotherapist.

Jannik Sinner said during his pre-tournament press conference in Beijing

Ferrara once again joined Sinner’s team as his fitness trainer. It was Ferrara who bought the spray from Italy containing clostebol and recommended it to Naldi because of his finger injury.

Also read: Roger Federer Names Two Players He Hated Training Against During his Tennis Career