Jannik Sinner advance in complete tranquility Roland Garros. The one who could become world number 1 this year, or even at the end of the Parisian Grand Slam, has still not lost a set in three matches. This Friday, the winner of theAustralian Open did not tremble in the face of the robust Pavel Kotovthe slayer of Stan Wawrinka, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the round of 16. Quietly, the 22-year-old Italian will find himself in the next round Corentin Moutet.
Video – Jannik Sinner after his qualification for the 8th in Paris
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Do you think your level improves with each round?
Yes, thanks for the question. I’m obviously happy to be in the next round. It was a difficult match. He’s a very, very good player. I played against him not too long ago, and he changed a few aspects of his game. I was happy to pass, and let’s see what I can do in the next round.
On clay, is there a shot or a sequence or even a movement that you use to evaluate your performance, to know if today is a good day or if your level is improving?
No, I think at the moment I’m kind of looking at everything as a whole. Tennis-wise, I felt pretty good today on the court. Physically, I feel that I still need to improve a few aspects. It is very important to rest, especially tomorrow. I’m trying to be ready for the next round. It’s a very physical Grand Slam, so I’m trying to judge every situation on court in a positive way at the moment. I know there are difficult moments on the court, but you have to accept them and see things in general.
“I definitely worked on some moves.”
You move very well on clay, especially considering your recent hip injury, and it’s probably not your favorite surface. Do you find that you move better than in the past? Is this something you’ve been working on?
Yes, I definitely worked on some moves on the court. You can prevent them a little in the gym, but you have to go through the matches, because it’s in the matches that you have to move well. We have worked a lot to be in the position I am in now. I’m happy at the moment, knowing that I need to improve my fitness for the next round, but let’s see what we can do tomorrow. Like I said, rest is very important in Grand Slams, so I try to rest as much as possible. Tennis-wise, as I said, I felt quite good on the court, trying to vary my game a little more as I used to do, which gives me more solutions. So.
“I don’t think I could have reached a very, very high level in skiing”
You were giant slalom champion at 12 in Italy. How far could you have gone if you had continued? Could you have competed with Marco Odermatt, and how did skiing help you with tennis?
(Laughs.) No, I already answered that question once. I don’t think I could have reached a very, very high level in skiing. That’s my feeling, but you never know. It definitely helped me a little bit with balance on the court, sliding, but especially mentally, because mentally it’s a completely different sport. We approach it in a different way. I was always a little afraid when I had to go down in super-G where you jump a lot. So mentally on the court, I’m not afraid to hit shots because nothing can happen. In skiing, something can happen, so yes (laughs). I think that’s all.
“Moutet? He’s left-handed, he moves very well…”
How far do you look in your table for the next rounds, and what do you know about Corentin Moutet?
I usually don’t look too far into the charts, especially in the position I’m in now. We go day by day. Tomorrow is a very important day for me. We can train. It can give me rhythm on the court. Moutet is different. He’s left-handed, moves very well, and being French, it’s different to play here.
Are you feeling any pain on the court at the moment?
No, I feel good. The hip is doing well at the moment, which I’m very, very proud of. My team and I have done a really good job of being in position to play here. Like I said, overall fitness isn’t where I want it to be. We are trying to prepare my body as best as possible. The weather was also different today. It was very cold, so it’s also different to play. The balls and the court are very heavy. But, these are situations to go through, to accept, and I try to look forward.
