‘I Couldn’t Sleep’ – Now ‘Relaxed’, Jannik Sinner Opens Up on Succumbing to Nervousness at Miami Open

It’s been just three months to the 2024 tennis season, but for Jannik Sinner, the time has brought a huge change. He won his first Grand Slam title while becoming one of the toughest competitors on the current tour, leaving everyone behind while surging on the court. But do you know that even as a person, things have been better for him, as he has become quite mature in handling defeats and success as a player?

The 22-year-old tennis sensation who made it to the Miami Open finals recently opened up about how he came a long way, from dealing with sleepless nights to finding confidence in himself. Let’s take a look at the mature side of the Italian tennis player on and off the court.

Jannik Sinner: Journey from being anxious to confidence

After making it to the Miami Open finals, during a press conference, he opened up about how he has now started to handle things with maturity. He stated, “It’s the first time where I really felt a match was in the first time that I played the final here. I still remember the night that, you know, I couldn’t sleep because, you know, I was not sure if I could get back in this position again. So for me was like even if I was really young and able to make this final, I was, like, who knows if I can be again in a final? Like, back in the days.” 

Further, he also highlighted how last year he had a sleepless night before the final against Daniil Medvedev, but this year things happened organically in such a way that he took things that came to him in a relaxed and more mature context. He added, “It doesn’t mean that I have to make it, but it’s a different feeling. I just take it very relaxed.” 

Subsequently, he also stated how he is happy with the results and the improvement he has brought to himself throughout the tournaments in the past few months. Moreover, just a few days ago, he also highlighted how his rivals made him a better player by giving him tough competition on the tennis court.

Sinner credits his rivals for his tennis improvement

The 22-year-old tennis phenom talked about the players who inspired him to improve in an interview with Tennis Channel following his quarterfinal victory. When Jannik Sinner thought back on his contemporaries, he openly talked about how rivals like Medvedev and Alcaraz pushed him to grow as a player.

He stated, “I think that’s good to see and this also makes me a better player not only Carlos but there are also you know Daniil is a one kind of player who made me a better player because I never beat him before.” Sinner does, however, also recognize the areas in which he needs to improve if he wants to compete at a higher level. He acknowledged that playing against players such as Alcaraz and Medvedev has made him realize how much he still needs to work on his volleys, drop shots, court-opening shots, and corner and angle control.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Sinner’s recent revelation about finding confidence? Do let us know in the comment section.

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