World No.1 Jannik Sinner admitted he could not sleep properly after suffering a heartbreaking Roland Garros final loss against Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner had his noses in front as he had three championship points on the Spaniard’s serve in the ninth game of the fourth set.
However, the Italian failed to capitalise on the advantage and Alcaraz was able to stay alive and took the fourth set into the tiebreaker. Alcaraz then went on to win the marathon game, which lasted for five hours and 29 minutes, in a five-set thriller.
The Spaniard lifted his level at crucial stages of the match and Sinner just could not grab the important points.
“Often,” said Sinner, speaking in German, when asked if he had ‘mourned’ the three championship points he held in the Roland Garros final over the past week. “It happens. I don’t know how it will look in the future. I think that it is not the most important thing, but I nevertheless try to forget the negative things and see what I can do here [in Halle].
“I think that for me to play another tournament is positive, because every match is a new beginning, and I must be mentally ready to give my all on the court. Therefore, it is great I can be here in Halle. But yes, I had already a few sleepless nights, but I think every day it gets better. My family stand behind me, and my friends. That is the most important thing for me. Tennis is important in my life but nevertheless are family and friends more important. Nonetheless I think often about the match.”
Sinner revealed he spent quality time with his family and friends in Italy to quickly move on the heart-breaking loss.
“I was very relaxed with my family. We grilled a bit, played table tennis with my friends,” said Sinner. “Really normal things, nothing special. I like going home, when a lot is going on. I feel safe at home and with my friends. They know how I am, and how I was before. They know me very well.
“I didn’t do much. I was relatively relaxed, and now I have been here since yesterday. The most important thing is to bring 100 per cent to this tournament. The first grass match is very difficult, but I am happy to be here.”
Sinner will face Yannick Hanfmann in the opening round at the Halle Open on Tuesday.
