Sinner: A nice guy...Just don't mess with his game!

Do not mistake Jannik Sinner’s ‘good guy’ persona for a lack of ambition.

The No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, who has lifted three tour-level titles this year including his maiden major crown at January’s Australian Open, possesses a champion’s mentality. It is something he has demonstrated since he was very young and now, under the guidance of coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, he has developed a game to match.

“I dream big, I dream to win as many titles as possible,” said Sinner after his latest demonstration of his abilities, a commanding straight-sets victory against Lorenzo Sonego at the Mutua Madrid Open. “I made a lot of sacrifices going away from home when I was 14, and this is still in my mind. I'm working hard every day to become a better player day after day, which is the main goal.

“When you work hard, when you wake up in the morning with the goal of becoming better, this is very important. The hours you put in; you have to be very focused about the work. But then when you finish the work, you also need people around you who are good to you, give something positive to you, and I think you have to find the right balance, which I'm trying to do.”

Sinner is clearly doing a good job at finding that balance: Prior to Saturday’s match, Sonego described the 22-year-old as “the nicest guy on Tour”. That didn’t stop him from delivering a crushing 6-0, 6-3 victory to his friend and occasional doubles partner, improving to 12-0 in Lexus ATP Head2Head clashes with fellow Italians in the process.

“I know Lorenzo quite well,” said Sinner after his 69-minute triumph. “We have a good friendship off the court, we play Davis Cup together, we practise a lot together… I'm just happy how I handled the situation. He didn't play at his best. I think we saw this. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season.”

🫂 #ThisIsTennis | @janniksin | @MutuaMadridOpen pic.twitter.com/JZXdU71nxZ

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 27, 2024

Sinner is now 4-2 in Madrid, where he is this year playing as the top seed at a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career. Fast clay courts combined with the high altitude of the Spanish capital seem suited to his game, and the Italian feels ready for a deep run as he chases his third ATP Masters 1000 crown.

“We came here quite early, so we tried to prepare in the best possible way,” said Sinner. “I'm working very hard in the gym physically. I have to accept a couple of things more while I play the match, but it's in my mind. I know this. This is me trying to find a good rhythm here."