“I understood to be a better player,” Jannik Sinner outlines his journey from rejecting Grand Slams to winning one as he sorts out priorities

Jannik Sinner gives a life update ahead of the Rotterdam Open.

“I understood to be a better player,” Jannik Sinner outlines his journey from rejecting Grand Slams to winning one as he sorts out priorities

Jannik Sinner (via Imago)

Young Italian sensation Jannik Sinner has been making headlines recently. As one of the most improved players in 2023, the youngster entered 2024 to win the Australian Open in the greatest fashion. 

Sinner has also been one of the most unique people on tour. He has built his fandom in a very organic way, started the trend of carrots, and even revealed to have played more challenger tournaments than the junior Grand Slams. With a motive to learn and improve, the Italian had revealed to have played more challengers.

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Jannik Sinner said via Marca:

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I have always liked to play against opponents better than me because it is the way to learn something new. I played some junior tournaments when I was 15 and 16 years old. At that age, I already focused on the future. Being 'top 10' in the junior ranking for me was not that important at that time. That's why I didn't play the 'Grand Slam' either. I wanted to train myself to have difficult moments on a tennis court. Future tournaments were the way I understood to be a better player.
Jannik Sinner said

A few players play the challenger tournaments to improve their ranking and try to gain some momentum before an important tournament. 

Despite being in the top 10 of the junior circuit, Sinner had decided to play more ITF and Challengers to face better opponents and train for the future. Training in this fashion, he made his way through the main rankings before climbing his way to a career-high ranking of 4.

Jannik Sinner gears for Rotterdam Open as he reveals to be more respected by players after Australian Open win

Jannik Sinner became one of the youngest Italians to win the Australian Open. Posing a mighty comeback from 2 sets down, Sinner lifted his maiden Slam. 

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (via Imago)

While there are many pros to winning a major title, Sinner has now become the center of attention as all players see him with a fresh pair of eyes. Understanding the change, Sinner started to prepare for such conditions and waited for the day. Sinner said via Marca:

They respect me more, but at the same time they know me more and they know my weaknesses more. I have to be prepared for it and that's why I train.
Jannik Sinner added

After the Australian Open win, the Italian has taken a couple of days off in Rome. He hasn’t visited his family yet but took time to recover and start preparations for the next tournament. 

Having skipped the Marseille Open, where he was supposed to defend his title, Sinner now gears up for his next appearance. The World No.4 will play the Rotterdam Open which features top players like Andrey Rublev, and Holger Rune. Entering as the No.1 seed, Sinner aims to gain some momentum heading into the upcoming ATP 1000 tournaments. The 22-year-old had already set his goal to offer his best tennis in Rotterdam and is looking forward to crossing more milestones from his book.

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