'It’s a little different': Jannik Sinner explains why Halle Open holds a special place

Jannik Sinner is set to resume activities on the court after suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the French Open. The 23-year-old lost to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thrilling final with a score of 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.

The match lasted over five hours and became the longest final in the history of the French Open. Sinner has now turned his attention to the grass court season, where his first appearance will be at the Halle Open. It is the same competition where he lifted the title last year after beating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 7-6.

Sinner spoke to the media ahead of his first appearance on the grass court this season. The world number one also went on to highlight what makes the competition ‘different’ compared to other tournaments. Sinner also highlighted that playing in the tournament last year helped him improve his game on the surface, and he is looking forward to further improvement.

“I like this tournament,” he said. It’s a little different because you sleep next to the courts. So you’re less stressed and you can organize your day differently, with training and everything else. But for me, since last year, some things have changed. I’m in a different situation, so I feel at home here because this is the first tournament I’ve played as world number one. It’s the first time you feel these emotions, and here I am back. I think a good grass player is someone who moves well. The ball bounces a little sometimes, that’s the nature of grass. And you have to hit the ball intelligently. But I think, overall, this is a surface on which I clearly improved last year. Now let’s see how it goes this year.”