WATCH: Jannik Sinner’s press conference after his sensational Australian Open win

Jannik Sinner has the chance to speak to the world’s media as a Grand Slam champion for the first time after his thrilling win against Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final.

Here are the best parts of his press conference, with the emotion of his momentous triumph clearly overwhelming for the 22-year-old Italian.

Has your achievement sunk in yet?

For sure it takes a little while to process everything. I’m extremely happy how I handled things today. The situation on court was very, very tough. I think the most important part was the support I had throughout these two weeks. I felt that many, many people were watching also from home in the TV, so I just tried my best. I was a little bit in trouble today with two sets to love down and in a little bit over one hour.

So I just tried to stay positive, trying to sticking to the game plan, which I had to adjust a little bit. Daniil is an incredible player, and he showed this also today again an incredible fighter. He spent so many hours on court. So I’m obviously sorry for him today, but for sure he will lift some more Grand Slam trophies.

Were you surprised by how aggressive Daniil was to start with and how proud are you of the way that you managed to turn the match around?

Yeah, for sure. I was expecting something different from his side, so I had this feeling that he might come out a little bit more aggressive. Not this aggressive. He played really, really well for the first two sets or two-and-a-half sets. I tried just to play even level, trying to take a couple of chances in the third set, which I’ve done. When you win one very important game, the match can change occasionally, and that was the case today.

I just tried to stay as long in the court as possible, knowing that he has spent so many hours on the court. The more the match goes on, maybe physically I’m a little bit better today, because he played so many hours.

Was there a particular moment in the last year or so maybe when you thought to yourself, I’m ready to win a Grand Slam title?

I think this season what I have done, not last year, two years ago, getting to know my body better, getting to know my team better, this was a very important step for me.

Then last year we tried to have some more results. I started off really well from the indoor tournaments, Indian Wells, Miami, I made the semi-final and final. Then also Monaco I made semi-final. Then the semis in Wimbledon.

So I had very good results. I think that made me believe that I can compete against the best players in the world.

But now I still have to process it, because it was, you know, beating Novak in the semis and then today Daniil in the final, they are tough players to beat. So it’s a great moment for me and my team, but in the other way, we also know that we have to improve if we want to have another chance to hold a big trophy again.

So this is all, the process and the hard work occasionally will always pay off.

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You spoke very movingly on court about your parents and them giving you the freedom to choose as a kid. Can you talk a little bit more about how important they have been to your success?

I don’t see them so often, unfortunately, but when I see them it’s always great time (smiling).

I went away from home when I was 14 years old. So I had to grow up quite fast, trying to cook for myself, trying to make laundry. You know, the first times it is different, you know, but then in the other way, that was maybe the fastest way to grow up.

I think for me was tough, but for the parents to leave their son with 14 years old, it’s also not easy. They always gave me, they never put pressure on myself, which for me is maybe the key why I’m here today. I’m a very quite relaxed man, who just enjoys to play tennis. I’m 22 years old, so I also enjoy to do normal stuff.

And that’s it. They are the perfect parents. Obviously, I know only them but they are awesome. And also my brother, he brings me honesty throughout the whole career I’m going through.

Have your expectations raised after winning your first Grand Slam?

I’m extremely happy that I am in this position now. I have a great team behind me who knows what I have to do. With Darren, he has a lot of experience. He has been through this already numbers of time. Simone, we were talking already after the match that we can improve still.

So, you know, it’s all part of the process. Obviously having this trophy, it’s an amazing feeling. I feel grateful to have this here. But I know that I have to work even harder, because the opponents, they will find the way to beat me and I have to be prepared. Let’s see what’s coming in the future.