Jannik Sinner could not have scriped a better response to the heartache of his US Open Final Nederay against Carlos Alcaraz, who also cost him his world no. 1 place.
Only three weeks later, 24-year-old Italian stormed to his second crown on the ATP 500 in Beijing, and now arrives at the Rolex Shanghai Meesters who decided to successfully defend his title. After his setback in New York, Sinner hinted at subtle changes in his game. Those tweaks, he says, are starting to bear fruit, but he remains hungry for more.
“I am not the only one that changes,” Sinner said in his press conference before the tournament in Shanghai. “If you ask every player, every player changes things and tries to get better. Whatever we try to do, they are not crazy steps, just try to adjust a few things, try to get better if everyone does. Certain photos that worked a little better than the months before, we can still improve certain shots.
“But it’s also normal, and I’m just looking forward to having as many matches as possible in every tournament. This gives me the chance to try as many things as possible. So let’s look, but we are quite happy with the work we do.”
Prior to his title match in Beijing, in which he defeated #nextgenatp student ten, Sinner confirmed that he was struggling with a belly bug, but that has passed and he is ready to roll at the Chinese ATP Masters 1000 event.
Sinner rose past Novak Djokovic in last year’s final, and he could again meet the record of four -time champion if they both reach the semi -final. Yet the Italian, who has confirmed that he will only have one practice session before his opening match, is focused from the start.
“It feels great to be back here. It is a very special tournament, of course the last we have in Asia,” said Sinner, who won his last 27 opening round races, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. “The circumstances are absolutely different from Beijing, so I only have one practice session to get ready, but let’s take a look.
“It will be a very, very difficult and difficult challenge, especially the first round game. You never know what will happen, so let’s take a look. But I am clearly very happy to be here again and play for Shanghai fans.”
Sinner opens his title defense against Daniel Altmaier in Germany, with their Lexus ATP Head2head series level on 1-1. Altmaier triumphed in five sets in their last meeting in Roland Garros in 2023.
After triumphing during the season finale last year, Sinner has already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals in 2025, but he would like to pace at Alcaraz in their battle for ATP-Eindenjes 1 presented by Pif Honors. He follows the Spaniard, who will not compete in Shanghai, with 2,580 points in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin.
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