Simone
Vagnozzi, the coach of Jannik Sinner, spoke about the pressure that surrounds
his protege.
At 21 years
old, Sinner is considered one of the future leaders on the ATP Tour and a
player who can challenge Carlos Alcaraz due to their similar ages.
In 2023,
Sinner has shown greater consistency, tallying 37 wins and 11 losses, while
solidifying his position in the top-10 as world No. 8 and sixth in the ATP
Finals race. However, after his disappointing defeat in the second round of the
French Open, he faced increased pressure.
Vagnozzi, a
former tennis player himself and Sinner's current coach, acknowledged the
challenges and expectations his player has had to deal with, especially
following the setback at the French Open.
"There
is a lot of pressure on Jannik, too much I would say. Sometimes he wins, but if
he takes a break, I read that there is something wrong, as if the other players
never get broken! Criticism is part of the game, but some criticism is
free," he said.
"I
have in mind the path we have to take. Let's go on our way. More than feeling
bad, sometimes I'm surprised, when fafter Paris I read 'Sinner disaster' or
'Sinner alarm', well, it seemed to me that there was a bit too much drama,
honestly," Vagnozzi added.
"I met
him when he was no longer a rookie, he was already top 10. The pressures were
already there, tennis was already a serious thing for him. I'd say that, apart
from the period between Rome and Paris, in which he didn't enjoy himself.
"He's
more smiling and talkative on the court; he's becoming more … Italian. Before,
he had no expressions," claimed Vagnozzi.
The Italian
coach emphasized the importance for Sinner, at 21 years old, to manage the
expectations and to enjoy the game:
"I who
see him every day guarantee. He knows how to have fun. He knows how to be with
people. He is respectful towards everyone, and in daily life, he is less
serious than he appears in the game," Vagnozzi said.
"It's
that everyone expects something from him, and expectations are never easy to
manage, especially at 21. The most difficult challenge is not to win the first
tournament, but the second, third, fourth … But Jannik has one advantage: he
learns quickly," he added.
Sinner will
return to the courts at the Canadian Open next week as the 7th seed. In 2022,
he reached the round of 16 but was defeated by the Spanish player Pablo Carreño
Busta, who went on to become the champion of the tournament by defeating Hubert
Hurckacz in the final.
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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