“Not interested in losing with honor,” Jannik Sinner’s coach unhappy with the Italian’s Australian Open run

Simone Vagnozzi during an interview, expressed his views regarding Jannik Sinner's loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas

“Not interested in losing with honor,” Jannik Sinner’s coach unhappy with the Italian’s Australian Open run

Vagnozzi comments upon the next phase of Jannik Sinner's development

Jannik Sinner had a breakout season in 2022. He reached the quarterfinals at both the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open Championships. On both occasions, he lost to eventual champions Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, respectively. Despite his hurtful losses, the 21-year-old ranks 17th in the world. Each tournament further emphasizes his improvement. 

Sinner entered this year’s Australian Open with great potential and even greater expectations. After steamrolling his way through the first two rounds, he won a tough five-setter against Marton Fucsovics. Consequently, he ran into Greek ace Stefanos Tsitsipas. 

YouTube video
2023 Australian Open Round 4 Highlights – Jannik Sinner vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (source: Youtube)

In what proved to be an instant classic, Tsitsipas edged out Sinner with a single break separating the two in all five sets. Sinner clawed his way back from two sets down. Speaking to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Vagnozzi made some telling statements regarding Sinner, which confirm the team’s goals and expectations from the budding Italian superstar.

FS Video

Vagnozzi said, “Frankly, with Jannik, we are not interested in playing and losing with honors against the top five in the world.” We entered the field to win, aware of having worked hard during the winter weeks. It was a special match, exactly one year since we started working and since he faced Tsitsipas himself, so it is inevitable that there will be a bit of pressure. And in fact, in the first two sets, he could have done more, but it came close, as it had the last three times.

Putting his resilience and mental fortitude on full display, Sinner looked poised to dish out another Houdini act and eliminate the three seed Tsitsipas. But the Greeks made sure he had the last word. As he won the final set comfortably, breaking Sinner’s serve once.

Related – “Just didn’t have the strength,” Jannik Sinner receives sympathy after loss in five-set thriller to Stefanos Tsitsipas

Jannik Sinner will look to improve his Slam result at Roland Garros

Jannik Sinner suffered heartbreak at the hands of Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Australian Open for the second consecutive year
Jannik Sinner during his Round 4 match at the 2023 Australian Open

Sinner is coming off a hat-trick of quarter-final exits. His coach’s words clearly suggest where the objectives for Sinner stand. A player of caliber should be making deep runs at every tournament he enters. So far, that’s not been the case for young Jannik. His on-court exploits are second to none. The physical limitations he suffered from last year, seem to have disappeared.

He looks fresh, healthy, and most importantly, hungry to win big titles. Having reached the second week at a Major on multiple occasions, Sinner eyes a semi-final appearance at Roland Garros. Even more so now that his rival, Carlos Alcaraz, is a proven Slam champion. Sinner’s preparation and skill are there for all to see. But in order to take that huge next step, he’ll need to have faith in himself.

Sinner slipped out of the top 15 despite his performance at the Happy Slam. Despite his grit garnering worldwide appreciation, now is the time for Sinner to take up the mantle. And establish himself as a bona fide top-10 player on the ATP tour.

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