January 26, (THEWILL) – Double Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner has set his sights on mastering clay and grass courts following his latest hardcourt Grand Slam victory. The Italian world number one retained his Melbourne Park title on Sunday with a commanding 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3 win over Alexander Zverev, solidifying his status as the top player on hard surfaces.
This triumph comes just four months after his US Open success, marking his third Grand Slam title on hard courts. Despite his dominance on hardcourts, Sinner is determined to improve his performance on other surfaces. The 23-year-old has reached the semi-finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon in the past two seasons but believes he can achieve more.
“You have to be a complete player, not only on one surface but on the other two as well,” Sinner told reporters. He acknowledged his progress on clay and grass but emphasised his ambition to elevate his game further in 2024. Sinner’s recent form has been exceptional, with 37 wins in his last 38 hardcourt matches.
However, he recognises the need to adapt his game to clay and grass, particularly the latter, where he has limited experience. “I am still young and have time to adjust, especially on grass courts, because I never played the juniors. It was new when I arrived on the tour”, he explained. Sinner views the challenge of mastering different surfaces as an opportunity to grow and refine his skills.
Off the court, Sinner has faced distractions, including an ongoing doping case stemming from two failed drug tests in March 2023. Although cleared to continue playing by tennis anti-doping bodies, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a hearing scheduled for April 16. Despite the uncertainty, Sinner has remained focused on his game, crediting his support team for helping him stay grounded.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
