Sinner arrives in Paris with renewed vigor
Dismissed cramp fears fuel Jannik Sinner’s drive at the Paris Masters, where indoor upgrades and a favorable draw position him to seize his first title and potentially reclaim the world No. 1 ranking.
In the echoing vastness of La Défense Arena, Jannik Sinner steps onto the Paris Masters stage with the quiet assurance of a player who has turned physical setbacks into sharpened resolve. Fresh from his ATP 500 triumph in Vienna, where he endured cramps to outlast Alexander Zverev in a three-set final, the Italian brushes aside doubts about his fitness. Three weeks earlier, those same cramps sidelined him in Shanghai’s second round, but now, as the second seed in his fourth appearance here, he arrives primed for a deeper run on the indoor hardcourts.
Overcoming physical echoes with tactical poise
Sinner’s body has rebounded swiftly, allowing him to focus on the nuances of indoor play where quicker bounces amplify his flat groundstrokes. In Vienna, he adapted by shortening his one–two combinations to maintain rhythm against Zverev’s baseline power, a strategy that preserved energy amid the late-match strain. This resilience extends to his preparation, incorporating targeted recovery to ensure fluid footwork in extended rallies, setting him up for Wednesday’s opener against Zizou Bergs.
The Belgian’s steady returns will test Sinner‘s serve placement early, prompting inside-out forehands to open the court and crosscourt exchanges to build pressure. Past Paris visits yielded just one match win across three tries, often hampered by over-reliance on power; now, he blends underspin slices on second serves to disrupt patterns and create openings for down-the-line winners. He shared his confidence during Tuesday’s press conference.
“I’m not worried physically,” Sinner said. “I feel in a good shape also tennis-wise. So I hope for a good start, and then we see how it goes. The [Vienna] final was very physical. The body feels good now.”
Welcoming venue upgrades that steady the mind
The tournament’s shift to Europe’s largest indoor sports complex brings comforts that ease the season’s grind, from expanded backstage areas to enhanced practice facilities. Sinner appreciates how these changes, akin to those in Cincinnati, foster a more supportive environment for players navigating high-stakes weeks. The bigger center court and improved courts one and two promise crisper lines for his precise shot-making, while the on-site gym aids in maintaining peak conditioning without the disruptions of travel.
Outside, dedicated practice spaces allow him to drill variations like inside-in backhands without interference, honing the tactical depth needed against counterpunchers like Bergs. He noted the overall uplift during his media session, his tone reflecting genuine relief amid the tour’s demands. These enhancements feel particularly vital after missing last year’s event due to illness, offering a psychological reset as he eyes his first trophy here.
“it’s great to see so many changes,” Sinner said. “I feel like it’s the second tournament we’ve had this year where many, many great changes have happened—Cincinnati and here. it’s great for the sport. Having behind the scenes where we can eat, it’s much more comfortable. Bigger centre court, and also Court 1 and Court 2, great courts. Outside we have some great facilities where we can practise with a great gym and everything is set up in a perfect way. I’m very happy to see these good changes. I feel like all the players, we feel better here.”
Targeting No. 1 through season’s final push
With 22 tour-level titles already etched in his record, Sinner pursues a return to the PIF ATP Rankings summit, a position he handed to Carlos Alcaraz following the US Open. A Paris Masters crown—his first ATP Masters 1000 of the season—combined with an Alcaraz semifinal absence would flip the script, capping a year of four triumphs including majors at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Beijing and Vienna victories in recent weeks underscore his consistency on hardcourts, blending aggressive forehands with defensive slices to control tempo.
Reflecting on the campaign, he highlights the mental breakthrough at the grass major, where straight-sets dominance over Alcaraz showcased adaptive play on shifting surfaces. His 48-6 ledger speaks to unflinching execution, from probing serves that set up short balls to rally constructions that wear down foes under arena lights. Yet he tempers celebration, emphasizing the road ahead in a press briefing.
“I feel like one of our goals was to try to go as deep as possible in Wimbledon, which I couldn’t have gotten a better result,” Sinner said. “So if you ask me [what has made me proudest], I would respond to you, ‘Winning Wimbledon’. But at the same time, it has been an incredible season, making four Grand Slam finals. Many, many great matches I played throughout the whole season. Talking about the season in general, it has been amazing. Very, very consistent. A lot of wins. I couldn’t have asked for more. The season is not over yet.”
Aiming for 50 match wins in a third straight year, he views Paris as a pivotal bridge to the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where last year’s unbeaten sweep fuels anticipation. Against Bergs, expect early crosscourt depth to establish dominance, evolving into varied angles that exploit indoor speed. As the crowd’s murmurs build to roars, Sinner’s focus sharpens, positioning this week as the launch toward reclaiming his throne and etching a lasting mark on 2025.
