World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is hoping to shake off the disappointment of his heartbreaking French Open final loss as he prepares to defend his title at the Halle Open this week.
The 23-year-old Italian was left reeling after a marathon five-set battle against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in Paris, where he led by two sets and held three championship points. But Alcaraz clawed his way back to win 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) in an epic five-hour, 29-minute clash—the longest final in Roland Garros history.
Since then, Sinner admits he’s had some sleepless nights thinking about what could have been.
“Yeah, often,” he said when asked if the missed chances haunted him. “It happens. I don’t know how it’ll feel in the future. But I try not to dwell on the negatives. I’m focusing on what I can do here.”
Now in Halle, Germany, Sinner is looking for a mental reset. “Playing another tournament helps. Every match is a new beginning,” he said. “It’s important for me to be mentally prepared to give my all on court. I’m really glad to be here.”
The grass-court season presents a new challenge—and opportunity—for Sinner, who lifted the trophy in Halle last year. The 2025 edition of the tournament kicks off on Monday, and Sinner is eager to find his rhythm again as Wimbledon looms just weeks away, from June 30 to July 13.
“My first practice here was okay,” he said. “I hadn’t played since Paris, so I wasn’t feeling perfect, but it’s coming back.”
Sinner believes adapting to the unique demands of grass is key. “On this surface, movement is important. The ball can bounce unpredictably, so serving smart and adjusting quickly is crucial,” he explained. “But last year I made progress on grass, and we’ll see how far I can go this time.”
With the pain of Paris still fresh, Sinner is turning the page—and Halle might just be the perfect place to start writing a new chapter.
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