Jannik Sinner admits 'sleepless nights' after French Open heartbreak to Alcaraz
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is hoping to use the Halle Open as a springboard to move on from the sleepless nights that followed his agonising defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final - a five-set epic that left the Italian reeling after squandering three championship points.In one of the most gripping Grand Slam finals in recent memory, Sinner led by two sets and had the title within reach, only for Alcaraz to claw back and prevail 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) after five hours and 29 minutes—the longest men's final in Roland Garros history.advertisementReflecting on the loss ahead of his campaign at the grass-court ATP 500 event in Halle, Sinner admitted the emotional toll had lingered.
"Often. It happens. I don't know how it will look in the future," he said, when asked if the missed championship points had stayed with him."I think that it is not the most important thing, but I nevertheless try to forget the negative things and see what I can do here in Halle."I think that for me to play another tournament is positive, because every match is a new beginning, and I must be mentally ready to give my all on the court. Therefore, it is great I can be here in Halle. Yes, I had already a few sleepless nights, but I think every day it gets better."advertisementThe 23-year-old Italian, who claimed the Halle title last year in his first tournament as world number one, is now seeking to regain momentum on grass as he builds towards Wimbledon later this month.Arriving in Germany on Friday morning, Sinner returned to the court later that day for the first time since his painful loss in Paris."The first practice session was OK. I hadn't played since Paris, so my general feelings on the court were not so perfect," he admitted."I think a good grass-court player can move well. The ball can bounce a bit funny because of the grass, and you have to serve intelligently."But in general, it is a surface on which I took a step forward last year and we will see how it goes this year."Sinner, who opens his Halle title defence against a qualifier on Monday, currently holds an 18-2 record in 2025, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Despite the heartbreak in Paris, the world number one appears determined to channel the experience into renewed focus."Every match is a new beginning," he said.
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