Now, the once spirited Sinner looks back on last year’s darkest moments: it made me stronger.

The countdown to the 2026 Australian Open has begun, with most players already gathered in Melbourne for final preparations. The defending champion Sinner is one of the main contenders for the men’s singles crown. During an interview, a journalist asked, “You once said last year was difficult for you, and you even thought about giving up tennis. Can you share more about that time?”

Last year’s doping scandal hit like an unexpected storm, sweeping through Sinner’s career and shaking the very foundation of him as a person. Sinner revealed his feelings to reporters: “Last year was definitely the tougher one. At that time last year, I had no idea what was going to happen. I tried to enjoy the matches, you know, when you step onto the court, but my mind was still occupied by that issue (the doping case).” He admitted to considering quitting tennis, which meant not only leaving a career behind but also tearing apart a passion and identity ingrained since childhood. Every shot on the court risked being shadowed by suspicion; every breath off the court felt weighed down by an invisible burden. Time spent with family and loved ones became a double-edged sword—sometimes a salvation, sometimes a reminder of helplessness. This internal and external struggle was far more difficult than any match loss.

However, it was on this mental and professional rubble that Sinner began his rebuilding. His words revealed a profound transformation: “It made me stronger. No matter what happens on the court, the outcome is an added gain. My love for this sport now is completely different from before, but I will give it my all.” Past glory and victories were perhaps more linked to talent, ambition, and the thrill of conquest; but a love forged through survival strips away superficiality and settles into a more essential, clearer commitment. This love no longer concerns only the glory at the summit but the courage to rise from the mud, a renewed embrace of tennis’s purity, and the true meaning of giving your best after shedding all external expectations. Sinner’s resilience thus transcends mere endurance, becoming a philosophical affirmation of self and a return to core values.

While Sinner completed his inner transformation, the external competitive landscape focused with unprecedented clarity on him and Alcaraz. This year’s Australian Open dramatically became a powerful movement in the symphony of their intertwined destinies. Alcaraz, the prodigy already holding titles from the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, could achieve the rare Grand Slam by winning in Melbourne, rocketing him into the realm of legends. Meanwhile, if Sinner defends his title, he will secure a modern-era three-peat at the Australian Open, not only asserting himself as the undisputed king of this domain but also delivering the strongest response to all doubts from the past year.

This potential epic showdown goes beyond the trophy itself. It is a clash of two narratives and forces: on one side, Alcaraz represents endless possibilities and bold ambition—a fervent call for a new tennis legend; on the other, Sinner embodies rebirth through fire and profound resilience—the brilliance of humanity shining through adversity. Their rivalry echoes the classic Federer-Nadal battles in the new generation, injecting tennis with the most precious suspense and allure through their contrasting styles and stories. Fans anticipate not only a tactical duel but a direct confrontation of two powerful spirits.

Certainly, tennis’s prosperity cannot rest solely on these two players. We welcome the presence of third and fourth contenders—whether it’s Medvedev’s strategy, Zverev’s strength, or another rising star breaking through—a diverse group of challengers is essential to maintain a healthy and fierce competitive environment, collectively pushing men’s tennis to new heights.

Sinner’s journey is essentially a parable of breaking down and rebuilding. The personal valleys he has crossed have deepened his understanding of victory, passion, and perseverance to levels most peers have never reached. This depth may be his unique weapon against Alcaraz and the entire tennis world. When the curtain rises in Melbourne, what we will witness is not just a champion defending his honor but a soul, tempered by storms, embracing his chosen battlefield with greater determination and purity. Regardless of the final outcome, this love and persistence forged in hardship add a profound and radiant tone to this era of twin stars competing for glory.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)