ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 6, 2024

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/T. Etcheverry

6-7, 6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Well done, Jannik. How much did Tomas impress you today, and how did you turn it around after losing the first set?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I felt like he was serving very, very well the first set. I was struggling to return. Overall, I felt that I had the chances in first set, couldn't use them, you know, which sometimes can happen. I just tried to stay there mentally.

He has improved a lot throughout the last couple of years, and we saw it today, so I'm very happy for him, and I wish him only the best.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It seemed like the match was played in really good spirits, lots of smiling and, yeah, quite a long match, but do you enjoy a challenge like that?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, it was, for sure, a tough match. In moments you have to be very, very careful in what you do, but obviously it was a fun match, I really enjoyed it, to play out there.

Also, the match before mine was a very long one also, and also mine was long, so I'm just happy to be part of these kind of matches as always and, you know, it's, for sure, was something good. But also it's important for me that the day for tomorrow, I have one day off, which I need to recover, it's, for me, trying to prioritize this kind of thing now, and hopefully be ready for after tomorrow.

Q. You said you felt it physically today. You've had a really, really packed week, and this year we've heard complaints about the ATP schedule from other players. I just wondered, do you think the schedule's too packed?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, we have a lot of tournaments, that's for sure. That what would be ideal is that after the ATP Finals there is no Davis Cup. I think that's for sure one thing we, I would change in the schedule. The rest we can still choose as a player, no, if I play Beijing or if I play here. I feel like this season we chose the right tournaments and the right time, and for me it was no problem.

I do understand other players sometimes if, you know, they were 30, 40, 50 in the world, you know, which they have to protect their self a little bit more, then it's a different question or suggestion. But, you know, talking for my side, we player can still choose. We have the Masters series, which are mandatory and this, yes, but, you know, for example, this, I could choose if I play Beijing before a Masters or not, so there are some things what we player can choose, so I think it's, yeah, it's okay.

Q. There was a really nice moment in your match yesterday when you checked on a ball girl who had been accidentally hit by a ball. Could you just talk a little bit about that, and just how automatic that reaction was to you.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, you know, those kids love to do what they do. I never was a ball boy when I was younger because I was not into tennis so much, but, you know, without them it would be, I don't think, possible to play, but they give us a big, big help.

You know, I felt like, yeah, the face she made, she was a bit in pain, so I wanted to double check, but it seemed all right. No, it was quite natural, to be honest, so it was a good, a nice feeling.

Q. What will you do tomorrow to rest and make sure you're ready for the next match, what's your relaxation schedule?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, it depends what I have to do. I'm for sure trying to sleep in in the morning which, you know, I have to see if I play tomorrow tennis or not, this is a different question, because I feel like I played quite a lot in the past week, you know, a lot of matches, a packed schedule.

Yeah, I feel like it's important now to trying to recover, so it's going to be, let's see tomorrow. Maybe do a little bit of gym, and let's see if I come here, because the whole day is quite far, so, you know, making one hour and one hour is two hours in the car, so let's see.

Q. Sorry to take away from the tennis, but there's been a rumor going around that you recently got married. I was wondering if you could either clear that up or is there any good news to share with us?

JANNIK SINNER: It was new also for me, to be honest (laughing). No, I didn't ask, and nothing, nothing happened. I just read the details a little bit that it happened after US Open, but it's all false, false news. Thank you.

Q. You are working with Marco and Ulises right now, both of them used to work with Novak, as we know. I think, in my opinion, you have similar body shape with Novak, is that why you hire them is that you want to learning from their experience with Novak or anything?

JANNIK SINNER: For sure they have a lot of experience, you know, in working with the world No. 1 for so, so many years. Also together, you know, Marco and Ulises, you know, working together, it's already a big help, because they know each other very well, which is for me very good, and very important also.

For sure, they can help me, you know, especially a little bit off the court, trying to see new things and trying where we can improve as a player. They have a lot of experience.

We have some similarities, me and Novak, but at the end we are still different, so, you know, we have to try to adapt our, you know, whatever is best for me, and trying to understand. But this, it takes time, but I'm very happy to have them on my team.

Q. Wondering if you could comment on your next match, which could either be with Carballes Baena or a rematch with Ben Shelton from last year.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, it's, well, Ben I might know slightly better, because we played, you know, a couple of times more. It's going to be, in any case, it's a very difficult matchup.

Ben, he, obviously, huge serve and huge forehand. He has improved a lot, so hopefully I will be ready.

If it's Carballes Baena, let's see, you know, it's a little bit different. I played once only, I think, in Roland Garros, so it's a bit different. It's going to be, for sure, more physical, and two completely different players, but I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, I will be ready after tomorrow.