AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2024

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/A. Rublev

6-4, 7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congrats, Jannik. Through to the semifinals without losing a set. How pleased are you with tonight's performance?

JANNIK SINNER: For sure it was a tough match, no? We know each other every time we play a little bit better. I was expecting a very fast, fast game. Not so many shots. That was it, especially the first set, and then after I think we both, we started to return a little bit better.

But obviously very happy about the performance and outcome. It was a tough match. I'm happy to be in the next round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What sort of discussions were taking place before you went out on court about potentially switching courts, all those sorts of things?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, there were only, it was half an hour where we didn't know exactly where we were gonna play. But in the other way, for me was no problem, not here, not there. It's, like, anyway a huge pleasure to play quarters in a Grand Slam so doesn't really matter the court. Obviously when you play center court is more privilege because you can feel it, you know, with the walk-on and everything.

But, you know, I was just focused about the match, to be honest. I was now with the mindset going on the court with the right mindset and trying to play some good tennis.

Q. First semifinal in Melbourne and you play Novak. He has never lost semifinal here. How do you see the match?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, this is what I practice for, no, to play against the best players in the world. Obviously has an incredible record here, so for me it's a pleasure to play against him, especially in the final stages of the tournament where things are a little bit more interesting.

I'm looking forward to it, to be honest. It's gonna be tough. This, I know. I will control the controllable, which is giving 100%, having the right attitude, fighting for every ball. And then we see the outcome, no? More than this, I cannot do. Doesn't really matter who my opponent is.

So I'm really looking forward to it and trying to prepare it in the best possible way.

Q. I know you've got the two days off now, but does finishing this late affect your preparation at all for the semifinal?

JANNIK SINNER: No. Obviously it's late now, by the time I get to sleep. But tomorrow I'm gonna hit half an hour, 45 minutes, really late of the day, just to touch the ball a little bit. Then after, you know, trying to sleep as much as possible, trying to recover. And that's it.

I feel quite confident too that my body is gonna recover in the best possible way. I hope for that.

Q. Andrey pushed you here tonight, especially with that second-set tiebreak. How will being challenged help you going into the next match with Novak?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, for sure for me was important to have some very key moments of the match, and today were lots of them. Also the breakpoints before coming to the tiebreak and everything.

So there were a lot of pressure points, which most of the time they went my way, so I'm very happy. But I was prepared for a tough match today. Even if I lose the second, you know, you still have to play some hours on the court.

Obviously when you win a crucial set like this, it helps a little bit for the third set, but happy that I had some tough moments today. I think I handled it in a good way, in a right way, and hopefully it's gonna help me for the next match.

Q. At 5-1 in the tiebreaker, a lot of people were thinking, jeez, this is going to finish late. This is going to be 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. Did you fear that at any stage or did you just think I'm just going to plow through and finish this ASAP?

JANNIK SINNER: I play until the match is finished. (Smiling.)

As I said on court, you play quarters of a Grand Slam, if doesn't really matter the time. In my mind I knew if I win I have two days off, which even if you potentially finish very late, you can recover. But in this moment, you don't watch the clock (smiling).

I knew before going on the court that for European time was a good time to watch also, so this for sure was important. Obviously you watch around in the stadium it was actually quite full for that time, but in your mind you know also that there are, you know, many people who are watching on TV. So you can feel the support. That's important.