Sinner: Every player faces slumps, but I don't believe I'm stuck in one

World No. 2 Sinner was eliminated in the quarterfinals of this week's Doha tournament, suffering an upset 6-7(3), 2-6, 6-3 loss to Menchik, ending his run in the last eight. This defeat marks only Sinner's 14th loss since the start of the 2024 season; he also lost in the Australian Open semifinals, making it the first time in 18 months he has failed to reach the final in two consecutive tournaments.

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Despite the loss, Sinner said there is no need to “raise alarm” about his form and praised Menchik’s performance. "Jakub (Menchik) served extremely well in the first set, with a first-serve success rate close to 90%, which was tough for me to handle," Sinner said in a post-match interview. "I struggled in the third set, making consecutive errors, and I’m a bit disappointed with how I handled key points, but that happens in matches. I will make some adjustments and have two weeks ahead for focused training."

In the interview, Sinner firmly denied claims that he is experiencing a career low. He currently remains firmly ranked second, holding a lead of over 5,000 points ahead of third-ranked Djokovic.

“I’ve had an incredible career over the past two years, and short-term fluctuations won’t bother me,” Sinner said. “I know I can play at a higher level, but Jakub (Menchik) indeed played very well, especially on serve. Every professional athlete goes through ups and downs. My goal every time I compete is to win the title. Facing challenges is completely normal. I’ve been through worse situations before, and I know how to bounce back from them.”

Regarding his physical condition, Sinner confirmed he currently feels good but revealed he had “some issues” after the Australian Open, without specifying details or severity. “I did have some problems after the Australian Open, but I’ve mostly recovered now. My form wasn’t at its best during the Australian Open. This time, I tried a more aggressive style, and I need to find the right balance, which is crucial for my future progress.”

“Every player experiences slumps, but I don’t think I’m in trouble right now,” Sinner said. “I have lost a few important matches, but playing against top players is valuable experience. I always remind myself of the achievements over the past three years. I’ve won so many matches with very few losses, and I still have the confidence needed to compete against the best opponents.”

Sinner’s upcoming schedule includes the Indian Wells and Miami Masters tournaments. Having been suspended for 90 days last year due to a positive doping test in 2024, he missed these two events. The Italian star now has a good opportunity to gain points in the North American double Masters events.

(Translation/Wang Fei, Photo/Visual China)