"I need to put on some muscle" admits Jannik Sinner
ATP
Jannik Sinner joked about bulking up to take on some of the best in the game following a quarter-final exit against world number three Alexander Zverev at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Sinner has made a consistent start to the 2022 season and notched 19 wins from the 23 matches he has played. However, the Italian hasn't added to the four ATP titles he won in 2021 and suffered a final-eight exit after an enthralling three-set encounter with Zverev in Monte Carlo.
It was Sinner's fourth quarter-final loss in 2022, with eliminations at this stage also coming in Miami, Dubai, and the Australian Open. When reflecting on how he can get past the top players in an interview with La Stampa, the 20-year-old said adding more muscle was just one area where he could improve.
"I need to put on some muscle. Against Pablo Carreno Busta in Miami I hit 15 aces, and it had never happened to me. But there are other things—the touch of the ball, the backhand slice and dropshot. You have to practice, you can't play them only in a match, even if they will never be my strong point."
After entering the ATP's Top 10 for the first time last year, Sinner dropped to 12th place in the ATP Rankings following his loss at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The Italian will also skip the upcoming Barcelona Open to build fitness ahead of the Madrid Open at the start of May before eyeing an appearance at his home tournament in Rome.
When reflecting on the prospect of playing at the Italian Open, Sinner said he could not wait for the tournament. However, he also admitted that nerves sometimes creep in ahead of such high-profile events..
"Playing in Rome is my absolute favorite thing. Playing at home puts a little more pressure on you. On the other hand, when they call your name it's a fantastic feeling. And the crowd can really lift you up."
