Jannik Sinner admits that he is ‘lucky to be Italian’
Jannik Sinner says that Italian players have a lot of advantages over players from other countries.
Sinner says that the backup from the Italian authorities in tennis is great and helps launch players.
He also noted that the high number of lower-level events that take place in Italy means that players from his country can launch professional careers without travelling excessively.
“First of all, we have good structures in Italy,” Sinner said when asked about the impact of extra Challenger and Futures events being added to the Italian plate.
“We have great coaches, physical trainers, physiotherapists. We have, starting from junior tournaments to future and challenger, we have some really important ATP tournaments potentially for the players who made it to play there.
“But you could stay the whole time in Italy and play tournaments. So also for players who don’t like to travel a lot, they can stay in Italy. They can play from one tournament to the other one a lot basically in the same place.
“I think this is one thing that helps the Italian players. I was one guy who preferred to go out of Italy a little bit, trying to see different, you know, visions of tennis, because I think this helps more when you grow up.
“But potentially you can stay there in Italy, and then you can finish, you know, hopefully in the biggest tournament in our sport. So yeah, I think we can consider ourselves very, very lucky being Italian.”
Sinner faces Daniil Medvedev for a place in the Miami Open final and expects another tight contest against the Russian.
“Tough match obviously,” Sinner said of the prospect of facing Medvedev.
“He made the final in Indian Wells. Also, he has good confidence. He is playing really good, especially here in this tournament. Last year he won.
“But let’s see. It’s going to be a very tactical match potentially, because, you know, I have to be ready if he starts off in a similar way as in Australia. I have to be ready and trying to understand it before. Then maybe he’s gonna change a couple of things.”
Sinner and Medvedev have met ten times before with the latter winning six. However, the Italian has won the last four clashes.
“It’s going to be an interesting test for me,” Sinner added.
“Hopefully I can show some good tennis. And that’s it.
“Physical shape I feel good. Because it’s going to be a very physical match in the next round, and let’s see what’s coming.”
