CHINA OPEN

October 4, 2023

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/D. Medvedev

7-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: There are so many first times: time in Beijing, in China Open, in Asia, first win against Daniil. What are your thoughts right now?

JANNIK SINNER: No, for sure it feels great. As I said in the previous press conference, it's a nice feeling. I'm experiencing something new, so it's really nice to have a great connection with the Chinese fans.

Obviously today's final was a very high-level final. Obviously very happy about the ending of this tournament. Yeah, it has been really nice here in Beijing, so I hope that I can come back again.

It's nice also to share this moment with you.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You're first win against Daniil. Did you try anything different?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, for sure. I lost against him I think six times in a row. At some point you have to change couple of things. Today I managed to do that.

Obviously you have to practice a lot to push yourself in these kind of situations because it's never easy. But I felt like today I was serving really well, especially in important moments. Especially the tiebreaks, I played well.

But still, the tiebreak, they can change very, very fast. I'm happy about my performance today.

Q. I remember after your semifinal with Carlos, you were saying you thought you maybe played better in crucial points. Was today the same thing again? Was it all down to crucial points?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, I felt like that in the beginning of the match, especially in the returning games, he was feeling a little bit better than I was. When he was serving, the games were quite fast.

Then at some point I started to return a little bit better. I tried to read his serve a little bit better. That gave me confidence, especially for the tiebreak.

The second set was a little bit different. But still the important moments in every match, it doesn't really matter who you play, they're very important. Today I also managed somehow that they go my way.

But for sure it's never easy playing against him. He is a completely different player than most of the other players. It's nice that I also had a chance to play against him here in the final.

Q. Seems like you are unstoppable here in Beijing. Could you share more about your whole tournament.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, for sure. It started off, the week, not in the best way. I was not feeling great. But then after knowing in my mind that every day is a little bit different, the first match was really, really tough. I managed to get through this one. Then I felt better every day. Against Grigor was a little bit different story, but I managed to raise my level of tennis each day.

So I'm happy how I handled every situation on the court throughout the whole week. I think that's I guess the most positive thing of this week.

Q. You just became the first player in China Open to bead seed No. 1 and No. 2. Do you think this is a great experience for your growth?

JANNIK SINNER: No, for sure. When you beat these kind of players, it's obviously a great feeling. This draw has been, except Novak, we have been all here. It was very, very high-seed tournament.

Happy in the beginning of the week to be part of this because it's obviously a huge pleasure and privilege. Beating Carlos obviously gave me a lot of confidence for today's final.

As I said, two different players, Carlos and Daniil, so I had to adjust myself a little bit. I think that was the key.

Q. Besides your victory on the court, do you have other good moments in Beijing to share with us?

JANNIK SINNER: Like what happened here?

Q. Yes.

JANNIK SINNER: No, honestly I've seen only the site and the hotel, to be honest. This is our I would say usual day. Especially me, I try to sleep a lot. It's maybe the best thing to recover.

I felt very great with the connection of the fans, which for me is one of the most important things because when you have great connection with the fans, it's always nice to step on court. When you hear the noise, it's really nice.

I think this is maybe the most important thing from this week, no? First time for me in China. I didn't know exactly what to expect. I was for sure not expecting this kind of reaction, so it was really nice experience.

Q. For Chinese media and fans, we will be very interested in your doubles. You got a wild card. You will pal with China's No. 1 top player. Why do you pair with him?

JANNIK SINNER: No, I know him because when I was practicing how many years ago, five, six years ago, because he was in the same center as I have been, so I know him. I know him a little bit. Obviously when you don't see each other for the next two, three years, it's a little bit different.

I know him, and he's a really, really nice man. For me, he's an incredible player. He has a lot of talent. For me it's a huge pleasure to play doubles with him, especially here in China, Shanghai. It's nice that we try doubles. I'm not the best doubles player, I know that, but I will try my best.

Hopefully we have fun, which for us singles players is the most important. Obviously with the mentality, we try to win the match yes. It's getting to know each other a little bit better, which is hopefully the case, yeah. We obviously will try our best to win the match.

Q. What is your schedule will be at the end of this year?

JANNIK SINNER: Well, the schedule is Shanghai, then I will try to play Vienna and Paris. That's it. Hopefully Turin and Davis Cup.

Let's see. Can be that couple of things can change, but that's my schedule what I would like to play. That's also what my team were thinking of. I think that's the schedule.

Q. Paris?

JANNIK SINNER: Vienna, Paris.