ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 7, 2026

Jannik Sinner

Press Conference

J. SINNER/U. Humbert

6-3, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Well played. I wanted to ask you about your return stance. Last time you played on clay, at Roland Garros at least, you had that angled-return stance. Obviously it was very successful. I'm curious what you gained from it, but also why you decided to do away with it?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, last year I had for sure more time to prepare, you know, the clay. So we tried to keep it a little bit more simple at the moment. Doesn't mean that I keep it the whole clay court season.

It gives a little bit more transition, a little bit more movement before playing the actual return. But yeah, look, at the moment, we haven't had the discussion yet. I believe at the moment we try to keep it as simple as possible, having this time period, you know, which is not a lot. Yeah, then we see.

Q. I'm writing a piece about smashes, like the overhead. After speaking to some players, some say it's an easy shot, they can do it 10 out of 10 times, whereas others say they struggle with it a lot. I think you have a good smash but curious what you think of the shot and why you think some players struggle with it?

JANNIK SINNER: I mean, I also struggled when I was younger. Missed a lot. It's all part of the, you know, you also need to practice this shot, you know. It also depends what you see. You know, if it's completely sunny, if there is no clouds or nothing, you know, then it makes it different.

For me, it's a bit easier to smash when there is a cloud. I have a little bit more the understanding of the distance with the racquet and ball. But I believe it's all part of, you know, how much you practice.

It's actually a strange shot, because sometimes you feel it very comfortable. You see it perfectly the ball and sometimes you struggle. But yeah, we try also to practice these shots, because, you know, at the end of the day, that's the easier shot than having, you know, a forehand or backhand, but in the same time, you know, you always need to arrive to the point that you can smash.

Q. How will you assess your level today? Was it the perfect start for your first time on clay this year?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, it's tough to give a number, you know, but I believe that first time on clay it was a very solid performance. Couple of things we need to improve, that's for sure, but in the same time, you know, Ugo is a very different player than all the rest. You know, lefty, playing quite flat with the backhand. It is a bit different, but I believe it was a good start, and tomorrow I have one day off, which is good. Maybe we play doubles. Then hopefully I can show some good tennis on Wednesday.

Happy to play at least one more match here, and knowing also mentally that after this tournament I have some time off, time to relax, and then get ready for Madrid.