MUTUA MADRID OPEN

April 27, 2024

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/L. Sonego

6-0, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Obviously a great win. How do you feel you played today?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, for sure it was completely different conditions than we used to practice. Roof closed. I know Lorenzo quite well. We have a good friendship off the court, we play Davis Cup together, we practice a lot together.

Also the mental side was a little bit different than it used to be, so I'm just happy how I handled the situation. He didn't play at his best. I think we saw this. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season.

Q. How have you found adapting your game to this surface versus continuing to play the way that has brought you so much success this year, the balance between it?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, we came here quite early, so we tried to prepare in the best possible way. But in the other way, I'm working very hard in the gym physically. I have to accept a couple of things more while I play the match, but it's in my mind. I know this. This is me trying to find a good rhythm here, and which the main goal is then be in top form in Roland Garros, no?

I think this is the goal of all of us. So, yeah, I'm just happy to be here. I mean, last year I was not able to play here, so even more excited. Then we see how it goes this year.

Q. How has your success changed at all your relationship with people, like Lorenzo who were older than you and knew you as you were coming up, and now you overtake them in the rankings, you're playing them, you're winning? Does that change at all the relationship?

JANNIK SINNER: Not really, at least from my side, no. Look, I haven't changed because of the success. I don't believe in these kind of things, because the way you are as a human being is much more important than all the rest, and I always try to surround myself with good people who give me something positive. I think that's for me the most important.

Then of course I dream, I dream big, I dream to win as many titles as possible. I made a lot of sacrifices going away from home when I was 14, and this is still in my mind. I'm working hard every day to become a better player day after day, which is the main goal.

When you work hard, when you wake up in the morning with the goal of becoming better, this is very important. The hours you put in, you have to be very focused about the work. But then when you finish the work, you also need people around you who are good to you, give something positive to you, and I think you have to find the right balance which I'm trying to do.

Q. You have the tennis face of Gucci. When you started your career, was it even something you thought could happen? Now that it's happening, how does that feel? What does that mean for tennis? Because we are seeing more and more luxury brands coming into the sport.

JANNIK SINNER: No, I never thought about this when I was younger (smiling). I was just trying to become a professional tennis player. I never thought that I would become like this, how I am right now and No. 2 in the world, which, you know, coming from where I come from, from a normal family, from a very small town, it's nice.

I was never thinking about big brands. And I still don't. I love to be part of the families, knowing new people, and because I feel like new people, they can give you something, a different point of view which makes you grow as a person.

And I think that's it. I feel like I have with all my brands I have a great relationship which comes first and then all the rest. You know, then I'm just happy to be part of great brands. You have a lot of responsibilities because you show them when you play, you show them with your emotions how you treat people. You know this.

So I have a lot of respect for them. I will do the best I can.

Q. Today is a very special day here in Madrid. Could be the last match of Rafa here in Madrid. I don't know if you could tell us a little bit how has inspired, Rafa, to improve your game, especially on clay?

JANNIK SINNER: First of all, Rafa has given so much to the sport, no? A different mentality, how to approach practice sessions, how to approach matches, how to come out from difficult situation, and I'm always very happy to see him.

You know, it's just nice, like here obviously the momentum is a little bit different than it used to be. He's father now, he has the family with him.

I just wish him all the best, because, you know, hopefully the body still keeps going for as long as possible. I'm sure he will do whatever it takes.

You can see that intensity when he practice and when he plays is still very high. To beat him on clay, it's one of the toughest if not the toughest challenge you have in our sport.

You know, that's it. For me, it has always been very, yeah, an inspiration, because the fighting spirit he had throughout the whole career until now and never complaining about anything, I think that's something really special.

So, you know, let's see if it's the last match. If it's not, nobody knows. It's only he and his body will know. I cannot talk more, because I don't know more (smiling).