Sinner and his 2024 learning: "I realized who my true friends are"

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Before delving into playing the ATP Finals, where he would emerge victorious, Jannik Sinner granted a sincere interview to Esquire Australia in which he talked about how he has seen his year unfold. The Italian can indeed be very proud of his season, finishing as the world number 1 and having won two Grand Slams, among many other titles. However, everything related to his 'doping' case since the summer has somewhat tarnished one of the most successful years a tennis player can have. Here are some of his statements regarding this matter.

A lot of fear about others' reactions

"It has been a tough time. I couldn't talk to anyone about it. I couldn't vent or ask for help. Everyone who knew me and saw me play understood that something was wrong. I spent sleepless nights because even if you are sure of your innocence, you know these things are complex. Everyone immediately told the truth, and that allowed me to play. However, I felt inhibited at Wimbledon. And even afterwards, I was fearful around people. I went to train at the Cincinnati club and thought: 'How are they looking at me? What do they really think of me?' I realized who my true friends are."

A great year where he has truly flourished

"I have grown a lot this year, both mentally and physically. The results we see now are not sudden. They are the result of the hard work we have put in over the past two years. I am the son of a chef, and I know that you don't start cooking a good dish in a few minutes. You have to study, understand, try, try again, and then the final dish will be good."

Things he has learned on the court

"Tactics. It is important because it can help you adjust a match that is not going well. When Simone Vagnozzi joined my team, he gave me seven or eight pieces of data per match. Honestly, I didn't understand anything. He would say, 'every so often, hit a slice.' But I didn't know how to do it, so we made many adjustments. It is a shot that I technically don't execute well because I hold the racket with both hands. Still, I feel more confident with it. Simone is good because we talk a lot, and he doesn't impose rules on me. He asks me to move more smoothly and keep the right distance. Hitting the ball correctly also means conserving energy."

And areas to improve

"In the US Open final, my serve was not good. That can happen, but it is a shot with much room for improvement. I am convinced that no matter how much you practice, you always have a bad day. However, being able to vary your shots is important, feeling more confident when approaching the net, working on volleys, having a different feel for the ball."

Your rivals can help you improve specific aspects

"It's a mix of being solid and aggressive. Defense is tougher for me. In fact, I try not to defend. My tennis is versatile, but for example, I still don't know how to play well at the net. A player who has helped me grow a lot is Medvedev. I had never done serve and volley, and he pushed me to practice it to try to beat him. Against some players, I have to use the backhand more. In tennis, you learn from your relationship with your opponent. The real question for a player is, 'how do I get into the rival's head?' If you figure out the answer, things change in the match."

How has he learned not to be swayed by nerves?

"By accepting myself. I have matured, understood myself more. It may seem trivial, but self-awareness is fundamental. I have worked a lot on this with my sports psychologist Riccardo Ceccarelli. Sometimes I used to lose matches because I expended too much energy, leading to cramps and discomfort. But when I started admitting my mistakes, I took small steps forward. During a match, it's easier for me; I forget the error more easily. However, in training, I seek rapid improvement. That's a mistake."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner y su aprendizaje de 2024: "Me di cuenta de quiénes son mis verdaderos amigos"