Jannik Sinner said he was satisfied with his level despite the loss of the Italian Open final in Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday in his first tournament since a three -month doping ban. Alcaraz postponed two late section points in the opening set before taking control of the match and winning his first title in Rome with a 7-6 victory (7/5), 6-1. The defeat ended the 26 -game victories sequence of Sinner while Alcaraz, who was the last player to beat the Italian in Beijing last year, won four consecutive victories over the world number.
“The first set was certainly a little changing the situation. But to speak general, very happy with this tournament. It then gives me, let’s hope, confidence to play good tennis also in Paris,” said Sinner.
Before Rome, the 23 -year -old had not played since he kept his Australian open crown at the end of January. He served a doping ban well discussed for having tested positive twice in March of last year for traces of Clostebol, contamination by the accepted doping authorities was accidental.
“After three months that came here, which means that this result means a lot for me,” said Sinner on Sunday.
“It’s something very, very, a very special game here in Italy, in Rome. They come to me like a little child, right? The support was incredible.
“Surely, there are things as we have seen today what we need to improve if we want to do good in Paris. I am closer than expected in a way of everything. But in the other sense, it was a great week for me.
“Some matches (I played) incredibly well, some games could be better. But it’s tennis. It’s a lot of ups and downs. But no, all together, it was a good tournament.”
Alcaraz extended his head-to-face advantage over Sinner at 7-4, a record that includes an exciting five sets victory in the semi-finals at Roland Garros 12 months ago.
Sinner had initially registered to play next week in Hamburg, where the finalist of the French Open in 2024, Alexander Zverev, will appear, but the Italian plans to rest additional after an impressive return to Foro Italico.
“If I went back, I would play a few points in a different way, that’s for sure. I lack matches,” said Sinner, who could not convert a pair of adjustment points with Alcaraz serving at 5-6 in the first set.
“There are no excuses, however. It’s just that I feel, if I would play them again, I would play them in different ways.
“I have played as many games as possible here in Rome, which is very good. Now I have a week off, which is good for me. A few days to go out mentally, then be ready for an even more important tournament.”
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Subjects mentioned in this article
Carlos Alcaraz
Tennis
