Jannik Sinner has left Australia on a high note after securing his second Australian Open title, but questions remain about his upcoming schedule and commitments. Speaking after a photo shoot at Albert Park Lane in Melbourne, Sinner expressed uncertainty about attending an official celebration at the Quirinale with Italy’s President, Sergio Mattarella, scheduled for Wednesday.
“I still don’t know, I have to decide,” Sinner admitted when asked about the potential meeting to honour the achievements of Italian tennis in 2024.
Reflecting on his victory, Sinner emphasized the importance of balance between his professional and personal life. “Maintaining equilibrium off the court is fundamental. It’s better to take an extra day to rest and be fully competitive afterwards because there are so many important tournaments ahead,” he said.
Sinner described winning his second Grand Slam title as a unique experience compared to his first triumph. “The first Slam is a relief—you realize what you’re capable of when you play at your best. The second one, you might enjoy it a bit more, but every Slam has its own story and challenges,” he explained.
Instead of large celebrations, Sinner chose to mark his Australian Open victory with his close-knit team. “I called my family to check that everything was fine at home. Then we went out for dinner, and my brother joined us. It was a very special moment. We took some time for ourselves, which was much needed after these intense two weeks. We were very happy,” he shared.
As he prepares to turn his focus back to the court, Sinner acknowledged the demanding season ahead. “Having some time off is crucial, but when we get back to work, tennis will have 100% of our attention. There are many important tournaments where I need to be at my best,” he said.
Withdrawal from Rotterdam ATP 500
Despite his recent triumph, Sinner has decided to skip the ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam, where he was the defending champion. The decision, announced via the tournament’s official website, came after consultations with his team.
“After discussing it with my team, I had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the ABN AMRO Open,” Sinner stated. “My body needs time to rest after the long journey in Australia. I have wonderful memories from last year’s title win in Rotterdam and hope to return soon. I wish Richard [Krajicek, the tournament director] and his team a great event.”
Sinner clinched the Rotterdam title in 2024, defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the final (7-6, 6-4). However, the physical toll from Melbourne has prompted him to prioritize recovery to ensure peak performance for the remainder of the season.
Sinner is expected to return to action at the Qatar Open (ATP 500) in Doha, scheduled from 17-22 February. Following that, he will participate in an exhibition match at the MGM Rewards Slam in Las Vegas before heading to the first two Masters 1000 events of the year in the United States.
At Indian Wells, Sinner will aim to improve on last year’s semi-final finish, where he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz. In Miami, he will seek to defend his title after comfortably beating Grigor Dimitrov in the 2024 final.
Before departing Melbourne, Sinner took a moment to thank his fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament. “The crowd has been incredible from the start of the tournament, even during the training week leading up to it,” he said.
He also reflected on his emotional exchange with Alexander Zverev after the final, showing his sportsmanship and empathy for his opponent. “For us players, the pain of losing is often stronger than the joy of winning. We are always more attached to the things we couldn’t achieve. For Sascha, it was a difficult moment, and I tried to encourage him. He deserves to win a Grand Slam more than anyone,” Sinner noted.
As he takes a well-deserved break, Sinner’s focus remains on maintaining his top form and managing his schedule effectively in what promises to be a challenging yet exciting season ahead.
