“It seems like you know the schedule better than me”: Jannik Sinner reacts sharply after heatwave question at Wimbledon

Monday, 06 July 2026 at 08:30

Jannik Sinner’s progression into the Wimbledon quarter-finals was accompanied by a brief moment of tension in his post-match press conference, after the world No. 1 was questioned about an upcoming heatwave and the apparent scheduling pattern of his matches so far in the tournament.

The reporter framed the question around external conditions and timing, suggesting that Sinner had so far been largely protected from daytime heat due to playing mostly in night sessions. The implication was that this could change in the second week, with temperatures in London expected to rise significantly as the tournament reaches its decisive phase.

“There’s a lot of talk about a heatwave coming this week, but it feels like you are playing mostly night matches anyway. Do you think it will be an issue for you or other players?” the journalist asked, linking scheduling and weather conditions directly to Sinner’s title defence.

Sinner responded immediately with a slightly ironic edge, pushing back on the assumption behind the question. “It seems like you know the schedule better than me, so I don’t know when they will put me on court,” the 24-year-old Italian said. “But I’m happy either way. I feel well prepared.”

Sinner leans on preparation as external factors grow in importance

Beyond the brief exchange, Sinner maintained his usual focus on preparation and internal control, downplaying any external variables such as weather forecasts or match scheduling as irrelevant to his approach. The Italian stressed continuity in his work regardless of conditions.

“We did a good preparation. Whatever happened in the past is gone. Now we see if we found solutions. If not, we keep working,” he said, underlining a pragmatic mindset as he moves deeper into the draw.

The world No. 1 also acknowledged the shift in intensity that comes with the latter stages of a Grand Slam, where pressure increases and matches often hinge on small tactical and mental adjustments. “It’s a Grand Slam quarterfinal, the feelings are different. There is more tension, but I’m very happy with where I am at the moment. We’ll see how it goes.”

Controlled Wimbledon campaign continues into the quarter-finals

Sinner’s 6-3, 7-6(0), 6-3 win over Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki extended his run to a fifth consecutive Wimbledon quarter-final, reinforcing his status as the player to beat in the bottom half of the draw.

While the second set proved more competitive, with Mochizuki forcing a tiebreak, Sinner elevated his level at the key moment, producing a clean and dominant breaker before closing out the match in three sets. It was another step forward in what has been a steadily improving tournament.

"In tiebreaks it is very important to start well," the 4-time major champion said. "You make a couple of mistakes, so going up 3–0 with serve makes it easier. It was a very close set. I had chances at 4–3 and some break chances but couldn’t use them."

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"Then they closed the roof, and I felt we both started to play better after that. It was a very close set overall. I felt I was serving well at important moments, and that helped me. I was also more free in return games. I think that was the key today.

The Italian arrived at Wimbledon without grass-court match preparation following an early exit at Roland Garros, but has gradually found rhythm despite a testing opening round against Miomir Kecmanovic. Since then, his serve efficiency and break-point defence have become increasingly stable under pressure.

Sinner will now face Jan-Lennard Struff in the quarter-finals, with both conditions and stakes set to rise as the defending champion continues his pursuit of another deep run at SW19.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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