US OPEN

August 27, 2024

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/M. McDonald

2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Four sets. Got rolling after that first set. Assess your performance.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, tough match obviously. First matches are never easy. Took some time to get in the rhythm, but very happy how I ended the match, which hopefully can give me confidence for the next match.

Glad to be in the second round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. The first set you mentioned just there, you took a little time to get into the rhythm. Was that something physical you were feeling, or was it just mental or the stadium or the tournament? What do you think it was that caused you to take a little bit of time to get going?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, I felt like he was playing some great tennis. Not missing any shots. I struggled a little bit how to play. You know, we prepared in one way which he read my game pretty well. You know, it's normal.

You know, the first rounds are never easy, especially in Grand Slams. And yeah, I think, you know, was set and break down, so, you know, when I broke him back in the second set, that gave me a little bit of confidence.

And after I started to raise my level, he dropped a little bit and I think that's how it went.

Q. You spoke the other day about it being a relief for the news about what happened with you to be out, that it had been a burden for you. What was it like to play today now that that news is out, and what was the response from fans?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, no, the response from fans, I feel it has been great, also throughout when the news came out, in the practice sessions, there was a lot of support, which I'm very glad and happy about that.

It is still a little bit, you know, not easy. You know, you have to go through day by day. So, you know, obviously I'm very happy to be here in the position where I am, and then trying just to go day by day, really.

Tomorrow I have one day off. One day of practice session, and hopefully I'm ready then to start the next match in a very positive way. Let's see if I'm able to that or not.

So it's going to be interesting to see.

Q. You spoke before about saying you weren't sure how the whole affair would impact your reputation. Wonder what your emotions and expectations were as you walked out onto the court?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I'm curious to see how the reaction of the fans has been, but it has been very positive. I was very glad how the support was, also playing against an American, no, it's a little bit different.

So I'm happy how I handled those situation, it was not easy. So I think a lot of positive things from today's day, and so let's keep seeing what's coming in the next round.

Q. You have been asked about the fans. I'm curious about other players and what you've heard from other players or reactions have been in the locker room.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, there are some reaction. You know, I cannot really control what they think and what they talk. You know, that's how everything went and how it was, I already talk, no?

I cannot control the players' reaction, and if I have something to say to someone, I go there privately, because I'm this kind of person. But, look, overall, it has been not bad. So I'm happy about that.

Q. Wondering if it was purely physical motive to pull out from the Olympic Games, the illness, or it was also like a mental struggle for you? I don't know. Maybe you didn't want that time the news to come out.

JANNIK SINNER: No, it was, look, I said already in the beginning of the year, that for me was one of the main goals, if not the main goal, has been the Olympic Games, no? For me, I missed the first one, so the second one for me would have been very special playing also in Paris, which is in Europe, quite close to home.

It was, if I would have had a chance to play, you know, physically, not being ill and being able to compete, I would have been the happiest I think in that moment. Because representing Italy for me is always a huge privilege and honor.

It wasn't to be this time, and hopefully the next in four years. It's still a long way to go, but hopefully it's going to be very special.

Q. You were part of the latest match to ever finish here at the US Open. Do you think it's okay for matches to be finishing that late in the night? Would you change anything about the process to prevent that from happening? How do you feel about the really late finishes?

JANNIK SINNER: No, I'm just a player. This is an organization thing. I don't want to talk about this. You know, obviously when you play second, in the second match in the night, which means it's the last match of the day, it could potentially go quite long.

There were many things, you know, we played a lot over, you know, four, five hours. The match before us went three sets that day. So it can happen that it can go very long, but, you know, I'm just a player. I'm happy to go on court and trying to play some good tennis.