ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 11, 2024

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/J.L. Struff

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Jannik, yesterday you said you still have to improve your game on clay. Today seemed pretty good. How do you feel?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, for sure it was also completely different opponent, so the feelings on the court were also a little bit different. There was not so much rhythm, but I was expecting this kind of match a little bit.

We played in Indian Wells. We know each other a little bit better now. I knew more or less what to expect, so I was a little bit more ready.

But he's really dangerous. You have to be careful, especially in the beginnings of the sets. But no, generally I take it as a really good win. Let's see what's coming tomorrow.

Q. Can you say a word about your next opponent in case it's Grigor or Holger?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, in any case, it's going to be a tough match. Much more physical. If it's Grigor or Holger, it doesn't matter. It's more about that's gonna be a really tough match. I know in my mind that I have to raise my level, so I'm trying to be a little bit more aggressive.

But let's see. It depends who I play, and in this case it change a little bit the tactical way. But let's see. I'm very excited for tomorrow. The atmosphere like today's is amazing to be part of, and we all hope for a good match.

Q. I believe that I'm not wrong to judge you as a very studious character. Have you ever analyzed the biographies or certain aspects of careers of the famous precedents of tennis, famous players, going back to the '70s or '80s, trying to shape your tennis character, your tennis identity?

JANNIK SINNER: No, I didn't understand (smiling). No, so if I studied...

Q. If you analyzed the biographies of famous players from the past in order to...

JANNIK SINNER: Look, I'm very honest, because until the moment when I, until I chose tennis, but before I was not following tennis (smiling). So I was watching just a little bit.

The first match I saw live was the challenger in Ortisei watching Seppi. This was my first match I have ever seen.

But from the point when I started to trying to become a professional tennis player when I was around 14 years old, I started to watch more and more tennis. But active players. Not so much from the past.

Obviously I know most of the best players what they have made or not, but it ends there. I don't know exactly what happened, but, you know, obviously from Rafa, Roger, Novak, Andy. I miss couple of players which they unfortunately retired already, like Tsonga, and then some other players where also Roger I'm still missing to play. You know, there are some players, but, you know, that's it.

Q. You may face Rune. Last year it was a little bit spicy. Did you learn from that match? It was an experience that you gained?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I think I learned, but we won't see tomorrow if I play against Holger, no? I think I learned from that point a little bit. From every loss I try to learn couple of things.

So let's see. If he wins today, it's going to be a very interesting match tomorrow. If it's Grigor, it's going to be an interesting match anyway tomorrow.

So let's see. I just try to stay focused on my side, and then we see what's coming.