Jannik Sinner, known for his powerful serve, speed, and blistering forehand, highlighted the significance of his mental strength in clinching this year’s U.S. Open title. Despite his usual physical prowess, the world No. 1 emphasized that his mental game was crucial during his journey to victory.
Just days before the tournament, news broke of two failed doping tests. While Sinner was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent tribunal, the situation threatened to overshadow his stellar season, which included five titles and his first Grand Slam win at the Australian Open.
“I realized during this tournament how important the mental aspect is in this sport,” Sinner said during his on-court interview after his 6-3 6-4 7-5 win over 12th-seeded Taylor Fritz in a 135-minute match on Sunday.
At 23, Sinner became the first Italian man to win the U.S. Open singles title and the youngest player to win both hard-court Grand Slams in a single season, with titles in Melbourne and New York.
Sinner admitted there was uncertainty about how the Flushing Meadows crowd would receive him after media reports and comments from some players suggested he had received special treatment. However, he relied on the support of his family and training team to block out the noise and stay focused.
“The general reaction from players was mostly positive, even after everything came to light. But there were, of course, some differing opinions,” Sinner shared with reporters. “It’s still on my mind, but when I’m on the court, I try to focus on the game and handle the situation as best as I can.”
source: Reuters
