Jannik Sinner’s first taste of a Masters 1000 final at the Miami Open is one that has left a bitter taste in his mouth.
The 19-year-old Italian rising star is tipped by many to become the next star of men’s tennis but was unable to get the better of Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. An occasional doubles partner of his who will break into the world’s top 20 for the first time following his latest victory. Throughout the final Sinner struggled with his consistency on the court. Producing 39 unforced errors and winning less than half of his second service points.
“I think I can learn many things. For me now it’s tough to talk about the match,” Sinner said during his press conference.
“Yes, I made a couple of mistakes in important moments but I was dictating. So, I’m happy about that.”
Besides the disappointment, Sinner can still take solace in what has been a successful run in Miami with his most high-profile win being over Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-finals. He is the ninth youngest player in history to contest a Masters 1000 final and the youngest to do so since Rafael Nadal back in 2005. He puts his run down to playing matches on own terms. A somewhat mature approach to the game for somebody his age.
After coming so close to the biggest title of his career so far, Sinner admits that he needs to improve ‘every single part’ of his game in the future. He is mentored on the Tour by Riccardo Piatti who has been working with him since he was a teenager.
“Improvement is the most important thing,” he stated. “I still have to talk with my team about why I lost, what they think and where we have to work. I like to see what they think and then we will decide on which part of my game I have to improve.’
“I think I have to improve on every single part of my game physically, mentally, everything.”
This year’s Miami tournament was unique in the fact that no member of the Big Three participated. Something that hasn’t happened at a Masters tournament since 2004. As a member of the much discussed Next Generation clan, Sinner believes the future of men’s tennis is in good hands. However, he believes there is still a way to go before they upstage the likes of Novak Djokovic and Co.
“The next generation still has to show that they can beat the big three because maybe they lose one or two matches,” he commented. “The next generation that I see is not ready yet to win against them consistently. It could be two years or five years, I don’t know.”
Like his peers, Sinner’s focus switches almost immediately to the European clay given the short turnaround. It was on the surface where he achieved his best Grand Slam performance by reaching the French Open quarter-finals last year. The most prestigious tournament of his home country also takes place on the clay.
“I’m not here for making the finals, you know. I’m here to win tournaments,” the youngster concluded.
Sinner will break into the world’s top 25 for the first time in his career when the rankings are updated on Monday.
