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Jannik Sinner Shares His Approach to Having Longer Career: 'It’s My Main Goal'

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Gouri Das | Last updated Aug 13, 2025 10:07 AM ET

Jannik Sinner, after his third-round win over Gabriel Diallo at the Cincinnati Masters, was told about Aryna Sabalenka‘s remarks about embracing the No.1 ranking, that being on top also means being a target of every player. Sinner was then asked his approach to being the No.1 player.

Sinner and Sabalenka are bidding to defend their titles, and both have reached the fourth round. Last year, they defeated home favorites in the final: Sinner beat Frances Tiafoe, while Sabalenka went past Jessica Pegula.

Additionally, last year, they both reached the top of the rankings table. Sinner became the newest No.1, but Sabalenka reclaimed her spot by dethroning Iga Swiatek.

Yeah, it’s a…for sure, different feelings. But I’m happy to be here. It’s the best position that can possibly be. At the same time, my main goal is to have as many matches as possible with less tournaments possible. Because if I want to play…[have] longer career, you have to stop at times, you have to work physically a lot to keep the body going. I think this is what we are aiming for, obviously, you can do that only if you can play good tournaments.
Jannik Sinner told Ziggo Sport

Sinner, just like Sabalenka and his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz, had skipped the Canadian Open. The Cincinnati Masters is Sinner’s sixth tournament of the season (because he missed three months due to his doping suspension). He reached four finals, including at the French Open and Wimbledon, losing the former to Alcaraz and winning the latter by beating the Spaniard. The Italian ace has also defended his Australian Open title by beating Alexander Zverev.

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Jannik Sinner deelt zijn plan van aanpak als nummer één van de wereld #ZiggoSport #atptour #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/LevSCXepnO
— Ziggo Sport (@ZiggoSport) August 12, 2025

Sabalenka has played two Grand Slam finals, losing both. In Melbourne, Madison Keys denied her the three-peat, while Coco Gauff denied the 27-year-old her first French Open title. So far this season, the Belarusian ace has played seven finals, winning titles in Brisbane, Madrid, and Miami. The Cincinnati Masters is her first tournament since Wimbledon, where eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova knocked her out in the semifinals.

Jannik Sinner is not making a fashion statement by wearing an arm sleeve

Jannik Sinner was seen donning a sleeve on his right arm before his campaign in Cincinnati, and this sparked injury concerns, given that he had suffered an elbow injury during his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon. But Sinner, in his pre-match press conference, said he is wearing a sleeve solely because he feels comfortable in it.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, during his press conference after his win over Daniel Elahi Galan in his opening round, was then asked if he was trying to make a fashion statement by sporting the sleeve.

As I said when I came here, the impact with the ball is a bit different. And I feel better…if not, I would not wear it. I don’t wear things just because of style, you know, so… At the moment, I feel comfortable. With the heat, it’s actually OK. It’s not too much. I tried the black sleeve, it makes a difference, with the black sleeve. But the white one under these conditions is no problem.

Sinner will next be locking horns with Adrian Mannarino, who knocked out home favorite Tommy Paul. He holds a 3-0 head-to-head lead over the Frenchman, whom he will also be meeting for the first time since the 2023 Indian Wells third round. The 23-year-old has so far lifted four Masters 1000 in his career, and if he wins the Cincinnati Open, he will, for the first time, defend a Masters 1000 title.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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