Jannik Sinner started his China Open title defense with a victory, which he dedicated to someone special he lost.
The world No. 1 has already played many matches during the season and managed additional issues, such as illnesses and the controversy surrounding his positive tests for a banned substance despite being cleared of wrongdoing.
However, the US Open champion is adamant that he is not struggling for motivation at this late stage of the calendar. Needing more points to guarantee he finishes the year at No. 1 might help Sinner stay focused.
Despite still being motivated, Sinner started slowly in his first match at the China Open in Beijing against Nicolas Jarry. He lost the first set 4-6, not creating any break points against Jarry's powerful serve.
The world No. 1 did not panic after that setback and staged a comeback to win his first match since the US Open. Sinner cruised through the final two sets to triumph 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 after nearly two hours on the court.
Sinner's improvement with each set was ominous for his rivals in Beijing. The Italian defeated Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev during his run to the China Open title in 2023, and those two are in the draw again this year.
Fans will remember that Sinner played a poor first set in the opening round of the US Open against Mackenzie McDonald before storming to the title, only dropping one further set in New York.
Sinner's first match in Beijing against Jarry felt similar to the one against McDonald at the US Open. He will hope that is a positive omen as he seeks to retain his title in the Chinese capital.
The 23-year-old may also take inspiration from wanting to perform in memory of someone important in his life that he lost. Sinner's aunt sadly passed away a few days ago at the age of 56 from an undisclosed illness.
After winning the US Open, Sinner mentioned his aunt during the ceremony, saying he was not sure how much longer she would be alive. He dedicated his outstanding success at Flushing Meadows to her.
As seen in the video below, Sinner remembered his aunt after completing his first match since losing her by tapping his chest, kissing his hand, and pointing at the sky before shaking hands with Jarry.
Sinner had kept the news of his aunt's illness private until he won the US Open. It was fitting that he could pay tribute to her during the ceremony after the final, making a large, worldwide audience aware of what she meant to him.
His aunt's sickness also puts into perspective how challenging the period when he was being investigated for the two positive tests for a banned substance must have been, creating additional stress and anxiety.
How Sinner came through that period to win the US Open and extend his lead as the world No. 1 shows how strong his mentality is and why he will undoubtedly stay at or near the top of men's tennis for many years.