Jannik Sinner reveals toughest part of grass transition, recovery from Carlos Alcaraz epic

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Sinner reveals toughest part of grass transition, recovery from Alcaraz epic

Top seed addresses the media ahead of quest for maiden Wimbledon title

Dan Istitene/Getty Images Jannik Sinner practises on Friday at Wimbledon. By ATP Staff

Jannik Sinner has cemented his status as one of the dominant forces on the ATP Tour over the past year, but as he returns to Wimbledon, there’s still unfinished business.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings has had time to reflect on his gut-wrenching defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros, where he let slip three consecutive championship points. Now, his focus shifts to another challenge: the tricky transition from clay to grass.

When asked about the biggest hurdle in adapting to grass-court tennis, Sinner was direct in his response.

“Movement, for sure, because the movement is the most important part for us tennis players,” Sinner said in Saturday’s pre-tournament press conference. “If someone moves well, it means that he is a good player. That's how I see tennis from outside.

“You have to cover the spots more, improvise a little bit more on the other sides. It's a very different game style we see on grass.”

Despite the difficulties of switching surfaces, Sinner has already shown he’s capable of adjusting. Last season, just two weeks after falling in the Roland Garros semi-finals, the Italian lifted his first grass-court trophy in Halle.

However, his title defence at the German ATP 500 didn’t go as planned this year, with Sinner bowing out in the second round to Alexander Bublik. That loss, coupled with his defeat to rival Alcaraz, who now leads Sinner 8-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, might raise doubts over his momentum heading into Wimbledon.

But the top seed is unfazed.

“Honestly, I feel ready to play. We are practising very well,” said Sinner. “What happened in the past is in the past already. I feel good. I feel especially mentally I feel in a very good spot. Halle was a little bit different, because before I haven't had so much time to cut that off. Now it's gone, and I also see the reactions of other players and people. They [said] the level is very, very high. Just privileged to be in this position.

“We are working very hard. I feel like I'm playing great, great tennis on grass. Hopefully I can show this also in the match court. I'm just looking forward to going on court and to compete and enjoy the time.”

Sinner has plenty of positive memories at the All England Club. While Wimbledon remains the only major where he’s yet to reach the final, he’s enjoyed deep runs — reaching the semi-finals in 2023, losing to Novak Djokovic, and making the quarter-finals in 2022 and 2024.

“It feels good again after one year coming back here,” said Sinner, who faces countryman Luca Nardi in his opener. “I'm very happy. I have some good feelings coming here, even though it's a bit different than last year, coming with the win in Halle.

“But it's good. I had some time off before coming here. We are practicing very well. The days are long. So I feel ready to compete again.”

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