AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 13, 2025

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/N. Jarry

7-6, 7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Jannik, how do you rate today for your first match back on tour?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, it was a tough match, as you saw. Especially the first couple of sets. Could have gone both ways. But I'm very happy how I handled those situations. Yeah, that's it.

Obviously happy to win the first match of the season, then we see what's coming in the next round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You're only the fourth player to win 15 straight hard court matches at Grand Slams after Agassi, Federer and Djokovic. What is it about the surface that brings the best out of your game and how does it feel to be on that list?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, it's amazing to be next to these names. I cannot compare myself with these players, no? They have done so, so many things. I'm just trying to make my own little story. Happy about that.

I like hard courts. I like these conditions. Especially when it's not that hot like today, it's very nice to play. Yeah, so happy how I'm trying to keep going as much as I can.

Q. You said on court that you enjoyed the crowd support. Were you nervous coming in, the reception you might receive given the appeal and the comments by Nick Kyrgios?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I was curious to see how it was. You never know what's happening. I was happy about the crowd. It was a very nice crowd. There were some for my opponent and some for me. It was a nice atmosphere.

I was just looking forward to go on court. This is why I practice for, no? I'm trying to compete in the best possible way.

Q. In terms of being defending champion, how were the nerves walking out this time as opposed to first round last year?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, it's slightly different. But as I always say, every match is tough to win here. It's nice to be back here. It's a very special place for me. So many things happened on the court but also off the court, beautiful things.

So yeah, it's a nice place to play some tennis. It was a bit different, different kind of pressure. I enjoyed it.

Q. You're up against Tristan next round, a player you haven't faced. How do you prepare against someone who you haven't played on tour?

JANNIK SINNER: I don't know. I have to see. It's for sure different. I would need for sure some time to understand how he plays. But I try to prepare it in the best possible way, see what I can do, then we see.

Q. Were you feeling rusty at all in the first two sets or was Nicolas playing well?

JANNIK SINNER: No, he was playing really, really well, to be honest. Especially serving incredibly good in important moments. Also from the back of the court he was returning really well, playing aggressive. I could have also lost the first couple of sets. You never know.

But no, how I handled that situations on the court, especially the tiebreaks. I had some chance in the first set on 6-5. I missed a second serve return. But this can happen. A set is gone very, very fast, especially in these conditions.

No, it was okay.

Q. Nicolas just mentioned that he struggled mentally coming into this match because of his own doping history versus yours. He compared the difference in the sanctions. He said it was a battle for him to play you. Do you feel some sympathy knowing his situation, that he had a long ban versus your own situation?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I'm very honest with you. I don't know the details of his case. For me, it's difficult to say whatever happened.

What I can say also passing also these kind of things, we got treated in the same way. There's the protocol. If the protocol has some issues or problem, then it's not my fault, you know?

Of course, I'm very sorry for the players who are passing these kind of things. But I don't know exactly the details about his case and my case. I know only what happened to me. I knew what I have to pass. It's basically still on, mine. I have to do some stuff.

At the end of the day I was always judged that I was innocent. The amount I had in my body is less than a billionth of a gram and it was contamination. I don't know exactly the details what he had.