Defending Wimbledon champion and world number one Jannik Sinner says he is feeling much better heading into this year’s tournament after a difficult stretch that included a shocking early departure from the French Open.
The Italian top seed lost in the second round at Roland Garros to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Sinner had built a two-set advantage before cramping up during a Paris heatwave — an outcome that sparked renewed debate about player health and safety on the tour.
Britain has been dealing with its own record-breaking heat over the past week, though temperatures are expected to ease somewhat before Wimbledon gets underway on Monday.
Speaking to reporters Saturday, Sinner said his recent testing has gone well and that he and his team are focused on training in hotter conditions to better prepare for what lies ahead.
“All tests were really good, even though we are very sure we need to practise in hotter conditions,” he said. “I feel like everywhere where we’re playing, it’s going to be very hot. Every year it’s getting warmer and warmer. So it’s a very important topic, but at the same time I’m happy with the work we’re doing. We try to improve in the best possible way and then we’ll see how it goes in the future.”
Sinner kept his pre-tournament press conference brief — just over 10 minutes — amid reports that players are considering limiting post-match media availability to 15 minutes during the first week of the event. That move is said to represent the roughly 15% share of Wimbledon’s revenues that currently goes toward prize money. Players took a similar stand at the French Open, with some even threatening a wider boycott.
Rather than weigh in on the prize money dispute, Sinner chose to focus on the steps he has taken since Paris to reset his game ahead of the grass-court Grand Slam.
“You cannot simulate 100% what you feel in a match because of tension, of everything going around before and after the match. But we did some changes,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s a long process. There’s no magic behind. But yeah, we are doing as much as we can. I’m very happy with the work we did in the last 2-1/2 weeks.”
Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam champion, will kick off his quest for back-to-back Wimbledon titles when he faces Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic on opening day at the All England Club.
