'The future is unpredictable': Jannik Sinner eyes equaling rare Roger Federer record at US Open

Italy’s Jannik Sinner is eyeing to do something no men’s tennis player has managed to achieve in the last 17 years, which is to defend the US Open title. The last player to do that was the former world number one Roger Federer in 2008 when he defeated another former world number one, Andy Murray, in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.

Since then, the US Open has seen a different winner every year. This year, Sinner will be trying his luck as he will be defending his title after beating America’s Taylor Fritz in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Sinner has already defended a Grand Slam in his career, which was the Australian Open. He lifted the title back-to-back times in 2024 and 2025.

Sinner will be coming into the competition on the back of a good outing at the Cincinnati Open, but the ending of his journey left some concern. Sinner retired in the final of the tournament against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz because of illness. He managed to play in the final for just 24 minutes. Speaking ahead of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, Sinner stated that he was ‘happy’ to return to the competition. “I'm firstly very happy to be back here,” said Sinner. “It's a great tournament. It's obviously the last Grand Slam we have for this season, so the motivations are very high.”

Talking about his physical condition, Sinner stated that while he has recovered, he has still not been able to recover 100 per cent and remains optimistic about reaching that level in the coming days. Sinner also admitted the difficulty of playing a Grand Slam towards the end of the season and highlighted what makes winning the US Open two times in a row such a difficult task for players.

Physically, I feel good, says Sinner

“Physically, I feel good,” said Sinner. “I have recovered mostly, not 100% yet, but we are aiming to be there in couple of days. So should be all fine for the tournament. We are heading towards end of the season, so some players, they are tired. Some players, they are feeling different. Many things can change. It's also the last big trophy of the year. I feel like here it changes a lot if you play night or if you play day. There are many, many small things at this Grand Slam makes a difference. For example, also obviously we are sleeping in the city, and it takes one hour to come [to Flushing Meadows}. Small things. But I feel if you don't handle them very well, then it's also very difficult to play the best possible tennis. Let's see. I always say that the future is unpredictable. So I don't know what's going to happen this time. But of course, it's a very, very difficult tournament to play.”

Sinner has featured in six competitions in 2025, including three Grand Slams, and has played in the final of five of them. On four occasions, he faced world number two Alcaraz. On three occasions, Sinner came second-best, including the final in Cincinnati, but on one occasion, he came out on top, which was in the final at Wimbledon with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Talking about his rivalry with Alcaraz, Sinner stated that having such rivalries is ‘great’ for the sport.

“To have rivalries, it's great,” said Sinner. “It's good for the sport, it's good for personal view because sometimes when you're tired in practice you try to simulate certain things, because they can happen in the real match. At the moment, me and Carlos, we are sharing big trophies, but at the same time, things can change. You never know. There are great, great players out there, and to the way to the final, it's very difficult to get there. So let's see if this continues. I always say we have to improve, because players, they understand us now, how we are.”