Atmane's 'obsession' with Sinner: "I think every day about what I must do to get closer to his level"

Carlos Navarro | 2 Oct 2025 | 18.31

Terence Atmane dreams big... and sets sights on the best as targets. Source: Getty

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Today was not the best day at the office for Terence Atmane. Far from any spotlight, on one of the outdoor courts of the Shanghai Masters 1000, the Frenchman endured extreme heat and humidity conditions at the Chinese tournament, experiencing tremors, nausea, and a withdrawal in the first set in his debut at this Masters 1000 event. His body failed him just before a tournament that could have further bolstered his climb to the elite.

Indeed, the rise of Terence Atmane has been unlike any other. He burst into the elite scene at the Cincinnati tournament, defeating names like Holger Rune and Taylor Fritz... until he faced a formidable wall named Jannik Sinner. Not only did his results captivate the audience, but also his playing style, fast, explosive, with constant rhythm changes, different from the one-dimensionality of many others. His outspoken personality in front of the microphone, signing off with concepts like the Fermi Paradox, showed a touch of madness that set him apart.

Terence came close to avenging against Jannik last week. They faced each other once again at the ATP Beijing 2025... and the Frenchman managed to take a set, a step forward that was overshadowed by a final 6-0 score. Satisfied? Far from it: behind the talkative character lie several layers of ambition, a compelling personality projecting not only towards the top-50 but much higher.

"When I was training in Dubai before starting the Asian tour, I constantly thought about what I needed to do on the court to get closer to him (Jannik) every day. The match in Beijing showed me that I could win a set against him, but at the same time, I'm still not ready to beat him in three sets. It showed me that I'm doing things right because it was a better result than before. It's essential to note that there is no one invincible for me, although there is much work to do if I want to beat him." These are words from Terence to ATP, statements that reveal a personality always striving for more, with unwavering self-confidence.

Atmane's Curious Idol and Aspirations Beyond the Top-50

Perhaps one would think that the next barrier to overcome for Terence is reaching the top-50, the next logical step in his player development. For him, that goal falls short. "Setting the bar very high is crucial. I don't focus on being top-50, 40, or 30, but on becoming a better player and person every day. In Cincinnati, I defeated Holger and Taylor. I know they are better players than me, but I can beat them. Jannik is also better than me, but as of now, I can't beat him. That's why I was so motivated to play against him again. I wanted to prove to myself that I could make an impact on a big stage by winning a set. I will continue to give my best because my goal is to one day beat players like Jannik and Carlos. That's essentially the main objective on my mind."

Terence's compelling personality doesn't emerge from thin air. In the collection of memories, the 'idol' trading card might surprise many, but it aligns perfectly with the fierce character of the Frenchman. "It may seem quite random that Fernando González was my favorite player, but when I grew up, I loved watching him play. Every time he played, the screen filled with explosiveness: he hit hard with his forehand all the time. I loved it. In fact, I tried to copy him a bit when I was young. Even today, I still watch his matches when I have some free time." Guided by the Hand of Stone and with sky-high ambitions, Atmane hasn't uttered his final words in a year where presumably a ticket awaits him in the main draw of Paris-Bercy... where, with the entire audience backing him, he aims to be one of the main attractions of the tournament. Remember his name.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La "obsesión" de Atmane con Sinner: "Pienso cada día qué debo hacer para acercarme a su nivel"