By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday June 2, 2023
Jannik Sinner lost a heartbreaker on Thursday in Paris, falling to Daniel Altmaier, 6-7(0), 7-6(7), 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-5, and squandering a match point in the process as his clay court season came to a stuttering halt.
After the five hour and 26-minute defeat the Italian made it clear that he’s not going to hang his head for long.
“This is the sport,” Sinner, who drops to 5-6 lifetime in five-setters at the majors, said. “I will for sure come back stronger. I knew it was a tough last two tournaments, no? I put myself maybe a little bit too much expectations or pressure, call it however you want, and, you know, it's part of the game.”
The Italian hasn’t lost confidence in his abilities – a good sign with Wimbledon and the hard court summer just around the corner.
“I feel like the season is going good,” the 21-year-old said. “I played a lot of matches. But for sure the last two tournaments were not what I was expecting, no? It is a tough one to swallow, but, you know, I keep going.”
Sinner, who has reached the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slams, but never progressed further, notes that he has won his share of tough matches as well.
“I also won tough matches, no? I lost tough matches, like everyone,” he said. “This sport, you have to take the opportunities, no? I had loads of opportunities today. I couldn't find them.”
The World No.9 believes that his future is bright and that he is doing the right things to make the most of his career. His career is just beginning, after all.
“Mentally I felt good,” he said. “Physically we were working hard. Long, long practice sessions. It's tough, you know, when you work so hard and you don't take the reward, no? But, you know, this is not a sprint.
“This sport is a marathon, no? So I will keep going with the hard work, and I will also get my rewards, no? This was, it's a tough one, yes, but it doesn't end here, no?”