AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2023

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/M. Fucsovics

4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Well done, Jannik. What did you change after the first two sets?

JANNIK SINNER: For sure it was a tough match. Some tactically a little bit, for sure, going more in his backhand. But after I broke him and I went up with the score, I felt a little bit better. Yeah, I think today was the key.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously you play the same player you lost to here last year. How excited are you for another opportunity to play him here in Melbourne?

JANNIK SINNER: For sure I'm looking forward always for these kind of matches, knowing that he is one of the best players in the world.

But I've changed a little bit for sure my game. It's going to be hopefully a good match. As I said, I look forward for these kind of matches. This is what I practice for.

We see how it goes this year.

Q. You've been playing on the early side, playing very quickly, except for today. Do you think there's a little bit of an advantage or not to playing sort of under the radar, not making much noise early on in the tournament?

JANNIK SINNER: I like to play early matches, especially in the Grand Slams. It's a little bit different when you know that you play around 11:00. After you have a little bit more time to recover. I like these kind of schedules.

But it doesn't change so much for me. For sure starting off the Grand Slams always with couple of straight-sets wins helps a lot. But obviously every day is different. Today I had five sets, so it's going to be tough obviously next round. But let's see.

Q. You were part of the very late match in New York. Andy Murray said last night that he thinks players shouldn't be expected to play at 2, 3, 4 in the morning. What do you think? Would you like to see the schedule addressed?

JANNIK SINNER: When you play night matches or night sessions, especially when you play second on, it's a little bit different. Depending also if there are five sets before, which most likely is going to be even later because there's not enough time to go for that.

But me, honestly, I don't care so much, no? I'm happy to be on court. Doesn't matter what time. For sure I prefer at 11 than playing in the night. It's all part of our sport now.

Q. Can you explain what your goals were coming into this season? I know last season didn't end exactly how you wanted it to.

JANNIK SINNER: For sure we have a couple of goals. Obviously trying to improve every day, which is our main goal. But aiming also for some results this year. Hopefully being part of the Turin Masters in the end of the year.

But let's see. Just started off the season. Hopefully I can play some good tennis here in Australia, then after we'll see for the next kind of schedule we have, playing the indoors after.

Let's see. For sure it's aiming some good results. This is why we always practice for, no? Searching the big rounds in every big tournament. So let's see.

Q. You always talk about how much you try to learn from your experiences and try to improve. Looking back at the Alcaraz match now that there has been so much time, what are some of the lessons you took from that, despite it being tough in the moment?

JANNIK SINNER: Just trying to take out the positives, no? I think physically I was good in that match. I obviously recovered after quite well, which I showed also today, that physically I am ready to compete. The off-season went well.

There are many things you can put together after that performance there. It was one match where it didn't went my way. But it's already past for me, no? The new season started, so hopefully it's going to be an interesting season for me.