ROLAND GARROS

May 27, 2024

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/C. Eubanks

6-3, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Jannik, well done. How did you hold up during the match after the injury you suffered in Madrid and that forced you to pull out of Rome?

JANNIK SINNER: For sure, it's great to be back on court. You know, I was looking forward for this. We worked very hard to be in this kind of position. For sure, tennis-wise, we can improve, and hopefully we will improve day by day. Tomorrow is one day off where hopefully we can use it in a very positive way, trying to have better rhythm also in practice sessions.

Then we see. I mean, I'm very relaxed at the moment, trying to get back to where I would like to be. Yeah, I'm happy. Today's performance was not easy playing against him, so I'm happy.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. You seemed to be moving really well out there today, despite what happened with your hip. I guess you're reassured or you knew it was going to be okay?

JANNIK SINNER: No, I came here, and I said if I played a first-round match, I only play if the hip is 100%. The hip seems good. I'm very happy about that. The general shape, as I said before already, is not where I want to be, but, you know, it takes time. I had a long period without practice also. So, you know, it's all normal. In my mind I know I will struggle, but in the other way, I'm happy to be here.

Today was a good day for me, and then we see what I can do in the next rounds.

Q. You just said that you had quite a good practice session. One of them you were practicing with Nishikori. He said very good things about you, and also, how did you feel about practicing with him? Also, the last time you practiced with Kei was when you were 17. I don't know if you remember it or not, but can you recall how you felt when you were, like, 17 and what kind of progress you made these past five or six years?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, first of all, I'm very happy to see him back on tour, Kei. I'm happy that he won the first-round match here yesterday. Five sets, it's an amazing effort.

He has always been a player what I like to watch, because, you know, the way he moves, the way he plays, it's amazing. I was looking forward for, you know, to practice with him, you know, to see what he has in his game, and he has an incredible timing on the ball and moving very well.

I don't remember when we were practicing when I was 17. This, I don't remember. For sure I would like, you know, hopefully to play against him once in tournament. He has always been a player who I missed to play an official match. There are some players who I would like to -- they retired already -- but I would love to play against them. He's one of them. He's still here, so there is a chance.

I wish him all the best for here in Roland Garros.

Q. Very nice to see you back and healthy to play again. We know that with this victory you officially got the points you got last year and everything. So now for the first place it's going to be you and Novak. So Novak has to get to the final to defend the first spot. There's a big chance that you will be No. 1 after Roland Garros. Are you thinking about how this look, to be No. 1 in the world?

JANNIK SINNER: No. At the moment, honestly I'm not thinking. I just try to get back where I want to be, as I said, trying to build confidence day by day. Every day for me, every shot I make or in practice session or in match for me is important at this moment.

I'm just looking forward to compete. I mean, I love the competition. We can practice a lot, but without competition, it's not so much fun.

I know the scenarios, yes, but it's not about this at the moment. For sure it's a dream, yes, but in another way, I'm very relaxed. If it happens, it's great and I'm very happy. If not, you know, I am very young still. You know, hopefully I can get to that point, and I'm just looking forward to compete again in two days and we'll see how I feel there on court.

Q. Next one you're facing a French player, Richard Gasquet. Can you talk about him?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I'm looking forward for it. It's going to be a very tough match. Playing against any French player here, it's very difficult. Especially against Richard. You know, he has huge support here.

I'm looking forward to it. I mean, he has given so much for the sport. It's good to see him on the court. He's still so talented, so I have to be at my best if I want to win.

So as I said, we will try to practice in a good way tomorrow, to build the confidence for after tomorrow. Let's see when we play, what time we play, and what court.

But, you know, I'm just looking forward for it and we see how it goes.