Jannik Sinner, the reigning Wimbledon champion, has openly acknowledged that his fitness problems could strike again, even as he understands their underlying cause. The Italian star advanced to the third round at the All England Club on Tuesday, defeating Nuno Borges 7-6, 7-6, 6-4, but his focus remains on the physical struggles that have marred his season.
Sinner's French Open Collapse
Sinner's fitness concerns reached a peak during his shock French Open defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. After leading by two sets and 5-1 in the third, Sinner's body gave out in the searing heat, snapping a 30-match winning streak. The loss drew fierce criticism about his conditioning, which Sinner has not shied away from addressing.
Speaking after his Wimbledon win, Sinner said: 'Yes, we understand what happened. It could happen again, because it's not something you can simply find a solution for. It's a slightly broader situation. We're doing everything we can and hope it doesn't happen again. If it were to happen again, however, we've realised that this is probably not the right path.'
No Guarantees for SW19
Sinner's candid admission underscores the uncertainty surrounding his fitness as he defends the title he won by defeating Carlos Alcaraz 12 months ago. The Italian emphasized that while he knows the root cause, there is no guarantee of a quick fix.
'It could happen again,' Sinner reiterated, highlighting the complexity of the issue. His comments come as he navigates the pressures of defending a Grand Slam title while managing physical vulnerabilities.
Meeting with Rory McIlroy
Off the court, Sinner enjoyed a lighthearted moment with golf legend Rory McIlroy, who attended Wimbledon with his green jacket from the Masters. Sinner described the encounter as a pleasure, noting the shared mental demands of tennis and golf.
'It was a pleasure meeting him. He's a phenomenon; he's made history in his sport. We talked about a bit of everything. I think golf and tennis have the mental aspect in common, even though they're still very different disciplines. But I'll stop there, because I play golf too little,' Sinner said.
