Jannik Sinner’s Emotional Landscape
Jannik Sinner, known for his composed demeanor on the ATP Tour, has disclosed that his tranquil exterior conceals a whirlwind of emotions. The world of tennis is diverse in its display of feelings; some players, like Aryna Sabalenka, are notorious for openly expressing their highs and lows during matches, while others maintain a stoic front.
Contrast Between Calmness and Inner Turmoil
Sinner, who rarely shows his feelings, represents the latter group. His subdued celebrations often consist of a subtle fist pump, and when faced with adversity, he tends to keep his anguish hidden. This characteristic prompted fellow player Alize Cornet to inquire about Sinner’s emotional state after he triumphed over Andrey Rublev, winning decisively with a score of 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.
In a candid moment, the 23-year-old Sinner acknowledged the stark contrast between his outward calm and internal turmoil. He emphasized the mental aspect of tennis, mentioning, “It’s absolutely not like that. I have a storm inside me, but tennis is a very mental sport and you try not to show your emotions too much to your opponent.” He reflected on earlier in his career when he couldn’t contain his emotions as readily.
Delight in Progress and Strategy Adjustments
Despite his typically reserved nature, Sinner expressed delight at reaching the French Open quarter-finals. He appreciated the opportunity to play in a night session, gaining valuable experience ahead of potential future matches in that setting.
“I’m very, very happy, because things can go quickly in a bad way, especially in best of five. They can go so long, so I’m very happy to finish in three. Night sessions here in Paris are always amazing, so thank you all for coming,”
Sinner also touched on an adjustment to his return position, which he thinks contributes to his rhythm on the court.
“We changed it before this tournament. I felt like I was out of rhythm, so this position gives me more rhythm, trying to go more through the ball, especially on the first serves,”
Looking Ahead
With confidence in his new strategy, Sinner is set to face Alexander Bublik in the quarter-finals. Bublik has been a surprising force at the tournament, promising to be a challenging opponent for the top seed as they both aim for success in this prestigious event.
