NATIONAL BANK OPEN

August 12, 2023

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/T. Paul

6-4, 6-4

JANNIK SINNER

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please.

Q. You've been in a rally of 46 shots. Can you tell us how did you stay focused during the rally and how did you feel when you finally got the point?

JANNIK SINNER: Tired. (Smiling)

But focus is quite easy, because I was break point down. It was important moment, you know. So every shot I tried to play with the right attitude, no? It was very tough or important point. I felt it, and, obviously, also he felt it.

So we both hit quite hard. We tried to move us around a little bit. And, you know, these kind of rallies are quite exhausting. You can feel the legs getting heavier shot after shot.

But the adrenaline and then the importance of the point keeps you going, no? And that's it.

Q. Congratulations. Tomorrow will be your third Masters 1000 final. What do you think you have to do to finally get over the hump and win that first 1000 title?

JANNIK SINNER: It's another great challenge for me, another chance. Happy to be in the position, no? I've been working very hard for these matches like semifinals and finals. And happy to be that tomorrow I have another chance.

He has shown what he's an incredible player. So I try to play my tennis. I have been in the situation already a couple of times, so I know the feeling before an important final, which is good, and hopefully I can show this tomorrow. And so let's see.

Q. What do you like about playing in Toronto? What stands out about the environment here?

JANNIK SINNER: For sure I love the crowd.

Immediately when I came here, I loved the conditions. Here is a little bit different than in Montreal, I feel like, but I feel like it really suits my game very good.

The night sessions are a little bit different. Especially when you serve and when you smash, it's a little bit different.

But it's always a privilege to play in the evening, no? in the night sessions. Like, today was many people were watching, and then that makes you feel good on the court.

And I think me and Tommy, we showed a great level of tennis, which was the most important, no? And also for the crowd.

And, yeah, just I think everything together, it's really nice here.

Q. You are very big Milan fan. Is there any player or any game that you remember that especially inspires you on the court in hard games like this?

JANNIK SINNER: I would not say that there is one player, but, you know, the whole team, they make a very good team effort. We have some new players, which is good for us, for sure.

My story to be Milan fan is a long story. Because when I was younger, I was living in apartment with another player, younger than me, and he was Milan fan, so we always watched the matches in the evening.

And, you know, I was not into football so much, but, you know, watching every time, "Milan, Milan." So now I'm Milan fan, and it's nice.

There's not one player, but I had -- also I had a chance to go to the training center where they practice. And it's nice, you know. You see that they are -- it's a good team.

For sure maybe Leão has shown that, you know, he's physically and everything very, very good. Giroud. There are so many, no? So if I want to be here, we can talk, but it's too long.

Q. You started this tournament as doubles partners with Alex and now you're going to be going head to head with him for the singles title. What does that kind of mean to you? What do you know about him? Yeah, what will that mean to you tomorrow to go head to head against him?

JANNIK SINNER: I don't think we are thinking about the doubles what we played together. But we know each other quite well. Practice in Monaco sometimes.

And so we have faced each other already a couple of times. We know exactly what to expect. He has improved as I do.

And, you know, it's nice that we can, yeah, share the court for important trophy, you know, and then let's see tomorrow. It's going to be a tough challenge, for sure, but I love to take these challenges.

And, hopefully, I can play some good match.

Q. Last night you talked about how off the court with Darren Cahill you guys like to play golf now and you really talk about everything off the court. But I'm curious about the adjustments that he's made to your game that he has focused on when it comes to your own tennis on the court.

JANNIK SINNER: Well, I always say that the mix with him and Simone is really nice. Simone, technically, shot-wise, he knows very, very much.

And Darren knows how to prepare the important moments or important matches. He has seen so many matches already and throughout his coaching career.

And it's also an important character. You know, he gives you confidence, but he's always relaxed. You know, on the tennis court, we work hard. I feel like the placement of the balls and a little bit also technically he gave me.

I started with him last year before Wimbledon, and, you know, also on grass. How to play a little bit on grass, for me, it was important.

And, you know, I think everything is going good.

Q. How would you assess your play tonight on those big pressure points? Particularly in the second set, you faced a lot of break points.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I was not serving that well, especially the first serve. But I just tried to stay in the present moment, taking the tough challenges in the important moments and trying to play in the right way, no?

And I got tight when I was serving for the match, but, you know, this is tennis. And then I tried to forget that what happened and tried to stay in the present moment. Mentally, I was ready to go for a little bit more for sure.

But, yeah, I felt for sure under pressure, yes. But I think also him, it's always tough when you have a lot of chances and you cannot use them. It's tough.

But, yeah, happy how I reacted. And, yeah, that's it.

Q. You will have played two fewer matches than your opponent tomorrow. Does that make any difference? Could that play into your advantage tomorrow?

JANNIK SINNER: Sorry?

Q. You will have played two fewer matches. With your first round you had a bye and then your walkover last round. Does that make any difference for you?

JANNIK SINNER: No, I don't think so.

Yesterday, I finished late. I went to sleep quite late. So, you know, today my routine day was a little bit different.

He has finished earlier, but, you know, it doesn't really matter, no? He has played good throughout the whole week, as I did.

And I don't think we will struggle so much physically. Like, going into the court, it's going to be a physical match for sure, but let's see.

But I don't think there is an advantage or a disadvantage.

Q. Just wondering what the game plan was coming into the match tonight against Tommy?

JANNIK SINNER: I don't like to talk about this kind of things, but he's a quite aggressive player. He serves very, very good. I was not expecting also the pace what he has on his serve.

Obviously, he's moving well. So sometimes you have to get behind him, no? going to the same spot again.

He has an incredible backhand, forehand when he has time, he plays good. He is an all-around very, very good player. And also when he comes to the net, he has very good hands.

And so, you know, it's the tactical side was very important today. I'm not going to talk how exactly my game plan was, but I think you saw a little bit how I was preparing the match, and I think it was the right way.