Jannik Sinner Adjusts Game After US Open Loss to Alcaraz

BEIJING, China — Jannik Sinner, the world number two, discussed adjustments to his game following his recent loss in the U.S. Open final to Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner entered the tournament this year aiming to defend his title but ultimately fell short, losing 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows.

Reflecting on the match ahead of his second-round clash against Marin Cilic at the China Open, Sinner expressed his desire to become less predictable. ‘We’ve been reflecting a lot on that final. We are working on new things and changing a lot of small things,’ he said.

Despite the challenges of making changes, Sinner remains confident. ‘The amount of mistakes at the moment is a little bit higher, but I hope that this recovers in a very positive way,’ he added. The Italian emphasized that practice differs from competition, making the transition challenging.

Sinner missed three months of action last season due to a failed drug test. After regaining the top rank following his Australian Open victory, he now sits at No. 2 after his U.S. Open loss. ‘Everything I’ve had to go through this year hasn’t been easy,’ Sinner noted, referencing his struggles and the limited tournaments he has played this season.

The upcoming China Open serves as a pivotal opportunity for Sinner to refine his game before the ATP finals. ‘I’m very motivated. It’s great to work on something new,’ he said, hopeful for a successful tournament run.

Following the China Open, Sinner will compete in the Rolex Shanghai Masters next month. With the year drawing to a close, he aims to implement his new strategies effectively against Alcaraz and improve upon their rivalry.