AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 28, 2026

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/B. Shelton

6-3, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Jannik, well done. Through to the semifinals once again. How pleased are you with your performance tonight?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, it was a very tough match every time we play against each other, so I'm very happy how I handled the situation. You know, obviously happy to win in straight sets.

But, again, you know, Ben is an incredible player, and every time we face each other is very interesting to see, you know, so I'm very happy about today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Have you had a chance to pay attention to the other matches happening tonight? And have you seen what happened with Djokovic? How do you feel about facing him next?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, I followed. Before my match I was also a bit sleeping, so you know, I have to do also my thing. You know, unfortunate for Lorenzo. In the other way, it's very difficult to play against Novak, especially best of five. It's still long.

So, you know, I hope it's nothing too tough for Lorenzo, you know, because starting the season with an injury is also not easy.

At the same time, you know, it's going to be very tough match the next one. We know each other quite well, so it's going to be interesting to see how we handle the situation, and then we see, but I haven't seen a lot.

Q. How does playing at night here sort of change your approach? A lot of the players talk about how it's almost a completely different court here at night.

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, it's different. You know, during the day, it also depends what temperature it is, because if it's very warm, the ball is more bouncy. It's more alive. In the evening it's a bit different.

Today it was also breezy. You know, also this changes. But, you know, it's more about the timing. You know, when you go to sleep, when you wake up, it's different. You don't wake up in the same time when you play in day sessions. You go to sleep slightly later and you wake up later. You know, trying to be in the best possible schedule.

Everyone is different, though, but it changes, of course.

Q. I wanted to ask about your outfit, because you've changed it a few times during this tournament. How did you decide to switch to the white shorts and hat? Is that what you're going to keep for the rest of your time here?

JANNIK SINNER: No, it's more about -- in the evening it doesn't make a big difference, but you know, if I potentially play in the day, I have a white hat also for the heat. You know, having a bit more white in hotter conditions, it's a little bit better, even though in the evening it doesn't change a lot.

But, yeah, that's the only reason.

Q. Can I get you to reflect on that 2024 semifinal in Australia against Novak and just how your life and career has changed since then, how significant that match was and everything that's followed.

JANNIK SINNER: You know, when you make the step ahead in final of a Grand Slam and winning against Novak, it does change a bit. In the same time, you know, you have to do it over and over again. It's very difficult. It's one of the toughest challenges we have in our sport.

As I said on court, it's great to have Novak, you know, playing this level, still very, very high level. It's Grand Slam, it's always very difficult against Novak. Let's see what's coming.

In the same time, things have changed, of course. Me personally, person-wise I'm always the same. We go day by day, and we have one opponent at the time. You know, tomorrow we have day off. We try to use it in a very positive way. Then we see what comes out.

You know, it can go well, but it also can go wrong. Sometimes it's fine. You know, that's tennis. That's how our sport is, and I don't want to put myself extra pressure, you know. I'm happy to be here, happy to play one more time the semis here in Australia. It's a very special place for me. We all hope for a great match.

Q. Both you and Carlos have been so dominant so far in this tournament. Is there a sense, I guess, do you feel that you guys are sort of extending the gap between you two and the tier of players below you guys?

JANNIK SINNER: I can just talk about from my point of view, no, and I'm someone who is not looking on this, you know. I find myself in the semis. I had to overcome very tough challenges. Every day and every match day, you know, we never take the opponent for granted. You know, we try to maximize my potential, and not always you can show 100%, and it's fine. Honestly, that's it.

I'm someone who goes very much in the present moment. As I said, very happy to be again in the semis. The season is long. Many things can change. Great, great player coming up. Novak is still here, and Sascha playing great tennis.

You know, there are many things what can change. In the same time, I just try to do my best, and that's it.

Q. Jannik, you played Novak quite a lot over the last few years. He will be 39 in May. I just wonder, do you think there are things that he doesn't do as well now as he used to?

JANNIK SINNER: This you have to ask him. I don't know. I mean, you know the level he's still playing, he is I think the most professional athlete, you know, we have here in the locker room.

I also try to be as professional as possible. Obviously, you know, he has a huge package of experience with himself. You see him on the court. You know, he knows how to handle every situation the best possible way.

Me, as a 24-year-old, I'm lucky to have someone like him in front of my eyes, and I can hopefully learn something. I feel like every day, every time he plays, I can learn something about him, about Carlos, about all the other great, great players.

I take this as a positive, you know? I think the way he's playing, the way he's moving, if you are not professional, you don't play at this level. He's an inspiration for all of us and especially the young players.

Q. Jannik, Ben is obviously a powerful and explosive player and dangerous, but I think you've now won 22 sets in a row against him. Did he bring anything tonight in the match that was different, or is he doing anything that's putting you in any kind of pressure?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, honestly he's improving every time I play, because he's serving better, changing a lot the serve, the backhand has improved, as we saw today. He's trying to be very, very aggressive.

You know, there are times where he change a bit more and then times where he change a bit less, but it's also how you feel in that day. You know, you cannot just close your eyes and just go for it.

I think we are going to see a great season for him this year. Now it's also for him, you know, the experiences he made last year, it's a big package also for him. He handles certain situation. You see he changed a bit the mentality, and he's very eager to improve as a player. He puts a lot of work in. He has a great team behind him.

Yeah, I think he's going to just improve, and he's going to be every time more and more dangerous.