Jannik Sinner's subtle changes at the Australian Open are not just about Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian World No. 2, who has won the past two titles Down Under, is chasing his third-straight Australian Open crown. But is he aiming to dethrone Alcaraz, who has dominated the Grand Slams in recent years?
In an exclusive interview, Sinner revealed that his team worked on his serve and moving forward during the off-season. He said, "We worked a lot on trying to make the transition to the net. The serve, we changed a couple of things. But all small details. When you are at the top level, these are the small details that make the difference."
However, Sinner clarifies that these changes are not solely targeted at beating Alcaraz, who has won the past eight Grand Slam singles titles and contested the past three finals. "It's not only for one specific player," he said. "If you add something to your game, the aim is to get better as a tennis player. It's not about beating one guy. It's more about feeling comfortable in every situation."
Sinner also spoke about the importance of his coaching team, including Darren Cahill, who has been with him for the past two years. Cahill's experience and understanding of Sinner as a player and a person have made him an invaluable asset to the team. "He's so important for all of us, for all the team," Sinner said. "He has this huge experience. He knows me now as not only as a player but also as a person now in a different way."
As for his title defense, Sinner will begin against Frenchman Hugo Gaston. He is seeded to meet Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca in the third round and Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. But will these subtle changes be enough to secure his third-straight Australian Open crown? Only time will tell. And this is the part most people miss... the real challenge lies in managing his body and mental ability to stay at the top physical level for the entire season.
