AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 12, 2024

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Jannik, this is your first tournament of the year. How is the preparation going? When did you get over to Australia?

JANNIK SINNER: No, I came here quite early actually. Was here one week, more or less. We come here quite early to prepare.

It's a good time of the year. Here it's summer. Back home there is very cold, even though if I like it. But it's good to be here. I had the chance to play couple of matches in Kooyong. Hopefully I'm prepared.

At the moment every day is getting a little bit better, the feeling with the court. Yeah, Sunday I kick off. Let's see how it goes.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I wanted to ask you about your decision not to play a competitive warm-up event. Daniil was in here earlier saying he made the same decision, said he felt like it was a bit of a risk but something he wanted to try. What was behind the decision for you?

JANNIK SINNER: For me last year I finished quite late. I played also Davis Cup. I had only one week of stop basically, then we started the off-season. We were there quite early. I wanted to start as soon as possible in one way the off-season. That for me was really important, for me and my body.

We tried also to figure out if this could be an option for the upcoming years, if this helps for me or not. As I said, I played a couple of matches in Kooyong. They're not official matches obviously, but you get this match feeling a little bit.

So let's see. I mean, we will have all the answers on Sunday, then we see how it goes. But I feel quite confident to be ready for some good tennis.

Q. Your partnership with your coaches seems to be a really good one, especially Darren Cahill having such a history with great players, making them good. What is it exactly about him that makes him a good coach?

JANNIK SINNER: There are many things, to be honest (smiling).

We were just talking yesterday in dinner about this. You talk a lot about the progress you have to make. It's important also the destination. In the other way, maybe the most important thing is the company you have around. This is what lasts you forever, no? Maybe these sort of things you will always remember after your career also.

He gives you a point of view not only tennis-wise but also the general view. I really like this. I love the company I have. We have a lot of fun. If we would live 24/7 in a house all together, we could live so, so long because we make zero problems out of it. We have fun. We enjoy our ride. That's good for us.

I think the combination with all of us, it's really good.

Q. Incredible end of last season. You haven't had a competitive match. How difficult is it to carry the momentum from 2023 over to 2024?

JANNIK SINNER: Just staying in the present moment, to be honest. I'm here to play, at least to try to play, some good tennis. Obviously it's tough to say how the season will go.

At the end of the year I played really good. I have still the confidence inside me, for sure. In the other way, every season is different. Every tournament is different.

Honestly, I missed being a little bit out of competition in the last one and a half, two months or so, maybe less. It's good to be back here, to have the connection with the crowd and everything. Let's see how it goes.

Q. You mentioned the weather. You're obviously a great skier. Do you watch the skiing back home?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I watch it because it's quite easy. In the evening here, it's perfect time to watch. So, yeah, I'm following a little bit. Obviously not every race. It's still a little bit in my blood because it's normal.

Last year I was not following that much. This year I was following. I was really happy when Paris won the downhill. It was great emotion. Obviously on the women's side we have a lot of Italians doing great things with Brignone and Goggia. It's nice to watch also some skiing.

Q. They just go for it.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, that's why I like them. They are win or I don't want even to arrive at the finish line (smiling).

Q. Last year you managed to beat top players. Has that improved mentally? How do you see yourself against the top players?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, for sure mindset is a key point in our sport. It gives you a good feeling when you lose so many times and then you win finally because it shows also the progress you're making as a player.

Also with Daniil, for example, I lost I think six times in a row, then I figured out that I can win against him if I play some good tennis. So let's see. I mean, the mental part is really important. You always have to believe in yourself.

Yeah, I think that's maybe the most important for a tennis player.