Jannik Sinner optimistic, in shape and with a small team.
So the Italian number 1 is preparing for his debut at the ATP 500 in Rotterdam.
In his first match as a Slam champion he will face Botic Van de Zandschulp, who he already faced in his debut at the Australian Open.
In the press conference, the South Tyrolean returned to the criticism he received after choosing to skip the group stage of the Davis Cup in Bologna.
"They are there and will always be there, you can't make everyone happy. You have to face them with the right mentality - Sinner's words -. In 2022 I lost against Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open in five sets. We finished late then I went to Davis but I hadn't played the 100%. This time the situation wasn't the same. I thought it was better to let the others play to be ready at the end of the season. In Malaga I gave 100%."
The draw for the first round in Rotterdam, he explained, "is not easy. Botic is a tough opponent. I don't look beyond the draw, I concentrate on the first round. I think I'll play on Wednesday, so I still have some time to prepare for the match".
Compared to the Melbourne match, the first official match of Jannik's 2024 season, the conditions are clearly very different because the Australian Open is played outdoors and the ABNAMRO Open in Rotterdam is indoors.
"Playing indoors is totally different," he said. It's pretty fast."
In Rotterdam, explained Sinner, in this edition "Simone Vagnozzi and Giacomo Naldi will follow him. Then in Indian Wells, which is a bigger tournament, there will also be Darren Cahill and Umberto Ferrara. Every now and then I like to be in a tournament with a bigger team restricted. we talk even more when perhaps you are at the table, or playing cards".
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