Sinner shakes off cramping concerns: 'Not worried physically'

Paris

Sinner shakes off cramping concerns: 'Not worried physically'

Italian arrives in Paris following Vienna title run

Benjamin Vodant/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Jannik Sinner is aiming for first Rolex Paris Masters trophy. By ATP Staff

Jannik Sinner has silenced any doubts about his physical condition ahead of the Rolex Paris Masters.

Sinner arrives in Paris fresh off a title run at the ATP 500 in Vienna, where he battled through cramps late in a three-set final against Alexander Zverev. Three weeks prior, Sinner retired in the Shanghai second round due to cramp. He left the court limping while grimacing in pain. Now, the second seed is ready to kickstart his fourth appearance at the Paris ATP Masters 1000.

“I'm not worried physically,” Sinner said in a press conference Tuesday. “I feel in a good shape also tennis-wise. So I hope for a good start, and then we see how it goes. The [Vienna] final was very physical. The body feels good now.”

A 22-time tour-level titlist with a growing list of records, Sinner has the chance to add a new milestone this week. The Italian is aiming for his first trophy at the Rolex Paris Masters. Across his previous three showings, Sinner has just one match win. He missed last year’s edition due to sickness.

This year’s tournament marks a new chapter, having relocated to Europe’s largest indoor sports venue, La Défense Arena. Sinner offered thoughtful insight on the move, highlighting several aspects he appreciates about the new setting.

“It's great to see so many changes,” said Sinner, who will begin his tournament Wednesday against Belgian Zizou Bergs. “I feel like it's the second tournament we’ve had this year where many, many great changes have happened — Cincinnati and here. It's great for the sport. Having behind the scenes where we can eat, it's much more comfortable. Bigger centre court, and also Court 1 and Court 2, great courts.

“Outside we have some great facilities where we can practise with a great gym and everything is set up in a perfect way. I’m very happy to see these good changes. I feel like all the players, we feel better here.”

Sinner is chasing a return to World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, which he relinquished to rival Carlos Alcaraz after the US Open. If Alcaraz does not reach the semi-finals and Sinner can lift his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy of the season, No. 1 will change hands.

Sinner has claimed four titles this season, earning major crowns at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while also winning Beijing and Vienna in the past month. Asked to reflect upon his season, Sinner began by referring to one of his main targets for 2025.

“I feel like one of our goals was to try to go as deep as possible in Wimbledon, which I couldn't have gotten a better result,” said Sinner, who beat Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final for his maiden title at the grass-court major.

“So if you ask me [what has made me proudest], I would respond to you, ‘Winning Wimbledon’. But at the same time, it has been an incredible season, making four Grand Slam finals. Many, many great matches I played throughout the whole season. Talking about the season in general, it has been amazing. Very, very consistent. A lot of wins. I couldn't have asked for more.”

But Sinner also acknowledged, “The season is not over yet.” Boasting a 48-6 season record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, he will look to improve upon that mark in a quest to capture 50 match wins for the third consecutive year. After Paris, Sinner will return to the Nitto ATP Finals, where last year he won the prestigious year-end event without dropping a set.

“A tournament I'm looking forward to is Turin,” said Sinner, one of four singles players to already qualify for the eight-player field. “Last year was an incredible run there. So we try to prepare ourself in the best possible way there. But, before that, there is an important tournament that I didn't play last year, which is here. I never played well here. So hopefully I can change couple of things this year. Then we see how it goes.”

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