THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2022

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/C. Alcaraz

6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Give us your thoughts.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, it was a tough match, obviously knowing that before. I think the level from both of us was great.

Yeah, I think that's the most important, to show a great level of tennis. Yeah, I'm very, very happy.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. When Carlos won the third set, did you go into the fourth set thinking this could go five sets potentially?

JANNIK SINNER: No, I just tried to stay in the present moment. I mean, I had chances in the third. I didn't use them.

But still, as I said before, the level was high. I tried just don't to drop my level. I think I was struggling a little bit in the fourth in the beginning, so I tried to serve well.

Yeah, I mean, I'm happy to close it out in four sets today.

Q. You're 20, Carlos is 19. You two are the future of this sport when Rafa and Novak and Roger eventually go. How excited are you by that? Do you think you and Carlos will have a rivalry going forward?

JANNIK SINNER: I think what we showed today, it's a great level of tennis, great attitude from both of us. Hopefully this is going to be the case. But we never know. There are still so many other players who are playing incredible tennis.

For sure we are the two youngest at the moment. So let's see. I don't know in the future what's going to happen. Yeah, I think it's just great for tennis to have also some new names, new players.

Q. If it is Novak Djokovic, what sort of challenge do you think you're going to have?

JANNIK SINNER: It's going to be a tough match, of course. I mean, he's playing very, very good. I will try my best. That's the minimum I can do. Just enjoy every moment out there, which I've done today.

It was a very special feeling to go on Centre Court. So, yeah, let's see in the next round what's going to happen. But, yeah, I think I can be happy today and trying to recover in the best possible way for the next match.

Q. There's clearly a lot of respect between you and Carlos. You shared an ice bath on Friday. A lot on the line today. Are you hoping if things do progress, potentially you face each other in Grand Slam finals, that respect and admiration for each other can stay there and won't become ugly anytime?

JANNIK SINNER: As I said, I don't know the future. I hope for me and Carlos this will be the case, for sure.

Unfortunately we had to play in the last 16 already. What we showed today I think is just some good tennis and, yeah, great persons. I think nobody got frustrated or so.

It's everything part of tennis. He had chances today. Today I went out on top. Maybe the next time it will be different, for sure.

But as I said, let's see in the future. I'm not the kind of guy who thinks ahead, yeah.

Q. You mentioned Centre Court. I believe that was your first time. How much did you enjoy that?

JANNIK SINNER: First of all, it's a special day. Many, many great champions are here or were here. It's just great to see the crowd is fully packed. Obviously when you go out there and you see the crowd cheering and enjoying, that's the most important.

For me was a privilege today to go for the first time there in the Centre Court. Yeah, hopefully also the next round will be there. It's a very special feeling.

Q. This is your first victory over Carlos Alcaraz in a main draw event. What was the difference this time compared to the other times you played him?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, for sure it's a different surface, first of all, so it's different to say. But I think I have improved, for sure. Also him. I think we both physically were strong today because the match was quite physical also.

Yeah, just trying to change up a little bit also the tactical things, which I used today. But also him, he tried to do something different. Best-of-five, there are many key moments. If you play best-of-three, there are not so many.

I was expecting a long match, which it was. I think also the preparation was very important.

Q. You're now in the second week of your fourth straight major on all the different surfaces. What does that say about your confidence and your game?

JANNIK SINNER: For sure I showed also this year until now I got consistency. I made many quarterfinals, many round of 16s. I think I improved also physically. If you go Grand Slam after Grand Slam and you go in the second week, you have to be good also physically.

I think every single part of my game, to be honest. We try to give our best, especially in the practice sessions. I think I'm putting a lot of effort and right mentality in it.

I will still keep going in this way because I know I have a lot to improve, then we see in the next six months how I evolve. Hopefully I can get better day after day.

Q. Your confidence level right now, is it at the highest that it's ever been?

JANNIK SINNER: That it's ever been? I don't know. For sure on grass, yes, because before I never won one match. Yeah, I think also against John was a very tough match. Today was a tough match. The level was great.

Hopefully I can get out the positive things, and let's see in the next round what's going to happen.