ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 13, 2021

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/A. Ramos-Vinolas

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Knowing how much you used to practice with Novak, Riccardo, do you remember the first time you ever hit with him?

JANNIK SINNER: Yes, I remember we were here in Monaco, Monte-Carlo. I practice with him. Now I don't remember exactly the year, but I was definitely younger. We were playing in two because I was a small kid, a little kid.

Yeah, we only hitted for one and a half hours, classic practice. I remember that that was with Dukovic (phonetic), I remember, which is 2001, another great player from Croatia. Yeah, I remember it.

Then at some point I realized that Riccardo was even his coach before I was practice with him. He told me a little bit a story. Yeah, that's it.

Q. It will be Novak's first match since Melbourne. Do you think it will be an advantage for you? What are you expecting from that battle?

JANNIK SINNER: What kind of advantage, sorry?

Q. Because he hasn't played since the Australian Open. Do you think it will help you because he will lack a little bit of rhythm?

JANNIK SINNER: I don't think that's important right now because I think he practiced until this time. Obviously I knew that he had pain in the abs, but I think he's good now because he is playing here the tournament. I think he prepared in a good way to be ready here for Monte-Carlo.

I think he has more experience than me, obviously. I don't think that's an advantage or not. I played today one match which can give me a little bit the feeling back on clay. I'm looking forward to a great battle, trying to play my tennis, trying to, yeah, make my tennis, then we will see what's happening.

Q. Can you say a word about today's match? How did you feel? How were the conditions?

JANNIK SINNER: Today it's always a little test. I came here, I practiced three days on clay, which is not that much, knowing that he played well in Marbella. He played a good tournament there. Lost 7-6 in the third against Carreno. Maybe he was a little bit tired.

It's always good for me to see what I can do on clay. Obviously I am not in the best form on clay now for the first week. But I think today was a solid match from my side. It was not easy. He's not giving one point, so you have to stay there the whole match.

He was lefty, as well, which is not that easy. I think I played a good match from my side.

Q. In terms of your tennis itself, in Miami you spoke about how you were happy you were controlling play, the tennis was on your racquet. When you go into a match like this against the No. 1 player in the world, is a tricky part focusing on that, as opposed to who is across the net?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, I will definitely have a game plan trying to make my game plan happen, which is my first thing to do. Obviously I know who is on the other side. I mean, obviously it's a tough match I think from my side because I don't know him that well. Obviously seeing him a lot in TV, watching matches. But when you play against in a match it's different. I'm looking forward to that match.

It's a good test for my side to see where I am, especially where I can improve. I know where I can improve, but this kind of match can give me a lot. I just try to go there with the right mentality like in every match and we will see what's happening.