Jannik Sinner Ready to Defend Wimbledon Title Despite Limited Grass Court Play
Sinner's Confidence Ahead of Wimbledon
London [UK], June 27: Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis star and reigning world number one, is set to defend his Wimbledon title. Although he hasn't participated in many grass tournaments this past year, he expresses confidence in his preparation for the prestigious event.
Last year, Sinner triumphed over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic to claim the title. This time, he enters Wimbledon without any prior matches on grass, yet the 24-year-old insists, "I feel good," during his pre-tournament press conference, as reported by ATP's official site.
"Grass is a unique surface. You come here aiming to perform your best. If you've played a tournament before, doubts may creep in if things don't go as planned. However, without any prior matches, you can focus solely on playing," he elaborated.
Reflecting on his previous experience, Sinner recalled his second-round exit in Halle before last year's Wimbledon, yet he managed to secure the title. He aims to maintain confidence in his skills. "Every year presents new challenges. I strive to trust my shots and abilities. The first rounds are always tough, and we are preparing as best as we can," he stated.
Leading up to Wimbledon, Sinner had a strong performance on clay, competing in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, where he achieved a Career Golden Masters by winning all nine active ATP Masters 1000 events at least once.
However, his French Open journey ended disappointingly with a second-round defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, where he faced physical challenges. Sinner remarked, "You can't fully replicate the match experience due to the surrounding tension. We've made some adjustments, not major ones, but I believe in the importance of small details and changes."
"We are satisfied with our current approach. The results will take time to manifest. There’s no quick fix; we are doing everything we can. I’m pleased with the work we've accomplished over the past two and a half weeks, despite the long hours. I feel well-prepared," he concluded.
Sinner's campaign will kick off against Miomir Kecmanovic, traditionally opening play on Centre Court on Monday. He enters the tournament with an impressive win-loss record of 20-4.