From our correspondent Marco Iaria
November 16, 2024 (change at 11.24pm) – TORINO
Second set. At 2-1 for Ruud, Jannik goes 0-30 down due to two rather unusual errors for him. Then, in order: big first serve, ace, forehand down the line, ace. Four consecutive winning shots. Sinner the cannibal. Only at the end of the game does he transform into a little angel. The audience sings the stadium chant “Olé olé olé olé Sinner Sinner”. He enjoys it all, slowly waits for it to die down and says: “It’s a great emotion, it’s very, very special to play here. Last year we lost in the final, this year we’ll go again and try to do better than usual.” ‘it went in 2023. Regardless of tomorrow’s result, it was a week of emotions and beautiful moments. Thank you all so much.’
pressure
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Then the analysis of the match: “The break achieved in the second game gave me a lot of confidence. The match could have been complicated at 3-1 in the first set, when I was down 15-40 on serve. I was good at staying there mentally. Then, in the second set, I managed to raise the level very happy.” And the pressure of being number 1? The difficulty of always taking the field as the man to beat? Sinner doesn’t even think about it: “Honestly I’m just trying to play 100% every day, I can’t control the result, this sport is unpredictable, but I can control how I feel on the pitch.”
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preparation
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The ease with which he imposed himself on the other “masters” in Turin is surprising. No set conceded, no opponent reaching 5 games in a set. Does it affect you, Jannik? “I don’t think winning like this is normal. There will be days that go wrong, when I won’t feel well. I will certainly never take anything for granted. I’m playing at a very high level, I came here to Turin a week before, I I am very well prepared. And during the season I made certain choices to try to be fresh at the end of the year.” These are the last efforts now. “We hope to play the final and the Davis Cup as best as possible. Against Fritz I will have to be very careful. He played an excellent match in the group, the difference was just a few points. He is showing a very high level, I will have to try to stay there all the points.” And next year, when will he start as world number 1? Sinner has clear ideas: “Winter preparation will be fundamental. I think I will do as this year, not playing tournaments before the Australian Open, in order to dedicate more time to training. When you are young you have to change some things on a technical and preparation is the right time to do it.”