“If you put too much pressure on yourself, then it becomes a nightmare”: Jannik Sinner on mental limits after Rome win

Jannik Sinner captured the Rome Open title in front of a home crowd, closing a tournament that carried both sporting and symbolic weight. The 24-year-old became the first Italian male champion in 50 years, emulating what Adriano Panatta achieved in the past, and overcame Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the final.

For Sinner, this was his 10th Masters 1000 title and sixth consecutive Masters 1000 win, extending an unprecedented streak on the ATP Tour. He also became the second player in history to win at least one title at every Masters 1000 event, matching Novak Djokovic’s 2011 achievement, while extending his winning streak to 34 consecutive victories.

He dropped just one set throughout the tournament, returning to Rome after losing last year’s final in 2025 against Carlos Alcaraz. This time, with the Spaniard absent due to injury, Sinner was required to confirm his status as clear favourite, which he did convincingly, maintaining momentum built over months and arriving as strong favourite for Roland Garros.

In his press conference, Sinner admitted he felt the pressure of the moment in the final against Ruud, aware that he was playing to make history in his country and in front of his home crowd. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old once again demonstrated his mental capacity to handle difficult moments and secured another victory that extends his unbeaten run.

Sinner described the final as technically unstable, shaped by shifting wind, sun and shadow. The match required adaptation rather than dominance, particularly in the opening phase where he struggled to settle. He noted that the conditions made it “really difficult to play well in tennis,” especially early on.

“I knew what I was playing for,” he said in the press conference, recalling that he started the match with a break deficit in the opening set. “Well, you know, the final today was difficult, also with the time we played, there was a lot of sun and shadow at the start for an hour, it wasn't easy.”

Despite the uneven start, Sinner highlighted a gradual improvement in his level, particularly on serve, which allowed him to regain control as the match progressed. “Then there was a bit of wind that kept changing, it was really difficult to play well in tennis. Then I felt a bit of pressure before the game, it's the most normal thing.”

A central theme of Sinner’s press conference was sustainability. Despite winning one of the season’s key Masters 1000 events, he rejected the idea that his current level could be maintained indefinitely.

“We really have to go tournament after tournament,” the world No. 1 said. “The most important thing is that you have to be in good shape physically. If you're not in good shape physically, you're not going anywhere… it's impossible to stay the way I'm playing for the rest of the season.”

Beyond tactical and physical considerations, Sinner addressed the psychological dimension of success. He rejected a linear relationship between winning and happiness, suggesting instead that emotional stability depends on broader lifestyle factors rather than isolated results.

“I think happiness doesn't have to be if I win a tournament or if I lose it. It depends on how you live your life,” reflected the four-time Grand Slam champion. “If you put too much pressure on yourself, then it becomes a nightmare. I think I'm fairly balanced, also in the ways I do off the pitch, which makes me happy in really small things. Playing golf in the middle of the day, going to the go-karts, those things. I'm more than happy.”

He also reflected on perspective, highlighting interactions with children during tournament ceremonies as moments that reshape perception of professional sport. These, he suggested, serve as reminders of context beyond ranking points or trophies.

“Sometimes, as tennis players, it's hard to say, we don't realise how lucky we are. Then there are the kids who have problems, but they're so happy with really small gestures. It changes your point of view a bit… these are small gestures that they'll remember forever. It doesn't cost us anything. On the contrary, it gives us great feelings.”

The Italian left Rome crowned with his fifth title of the year, extending his lead at the top of the ATP Rankings to nearly 3,000 points ahead of Carlos Alcaraz, who remains sidelined due to injury and will continue losing points during his absence from Roland Garros. Sinner will enter the tournament as first seed and will pursue his fifth Grand Slam title, as well as his first outside hard courts.