'Pressure has always been there': Jannik Sinner on fighting to defend US Open title after bludgeoning Alexander Bublik

Jannik Sinner made a statement at the 2025 US Open with a commanding fourth-round 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 performance against Alexander Bublik, demonstrating why he is one of tennis’ most formidable stars. Only dropping one set so far, the Italian dispatched the Kazakhstani number one in just 1 hour and 21 minutes.

After his victory, the Italian superstar spoke at the post-match press conference, reflecting on the match and sharing his thoughts on the unpredictability of tennis, the weight of expectations, and what lies ahead in his quest to defend his US Open title.

Addressing Bublik's performance

The world number one faced questions about his opponent’s performance, where he said, "I just try, from my side or from my point of view, to make the best of what I can. On that day, sometimes we have days where certain things don’t work. Some players have some problems behind the scenes, you never know. At the end of the day, we try to make the sport as interesting as possible.".

Despite the uneven play, Sinner highlighted the moments that gave him confidence. "At times, I felt like today I was playing some great tennis. I managed to break him very early, which then gave me the confidence to serve a little better and play from the back of the court a bit better. It was a fast match, but at the same time, from my point of view, it’s good."

Tactics Sinner used to win today

Asked about making Bublik "look bad," Sinner downplayed his dominance, pointing to the realities of the sport: "No, I don’t know. As I said, we don’t have to forget that he had a five-set match and it finished very late. Against Tommy, he’s a different player. It can happen. This is the sport. Some days they are good, and some days they are not good…It’s very unpredictable, this sport."

He revealed his approach on court: "I tried to move him around, trying to see how he moves, trying to put it more on the physical side. Today, I played some good tennis at times. At times, he gave me some free points. I just tried to stay as consistent as possible. I think that today was maybe the main key.".

Italian faceoff in the next round

Looking ahead to his next opponent, fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals, Sinner acknowledged the extra pressure of an all-Italian clash. "Pressure is there. Pressure has always been there. Derbies are a bit different… He’s an amazing player, very, very talented. He is playing some great tennis. He has struggled a bit during the season, but now he finds himself in amazing form and shape. Yes, the pressure is on me, but at the same time, most of the time, the pressure is a little bit more on me than on the opponent, so let’s see what’s coming. I like these challenges.".

He also reflected on the historic context of Italian tennis: "Now these things seem normal, but they are not normal. It’s very difficult to get to the stages, quarters, there. The occasion is getting bigger. The attention is getting bigger. The matches are bigger. So everything changes now on. Let’s see, but I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great challenge.".

Finally, Sinner spoke about the thrill of playing under the lights. "Night matches are a bit different because there is a bit more attention. I feel like it’s a different vibe around the court, and it’s very loud. It’s also different to play. It’s very special, and you feel privileged to step on court at night on the biggest court we have. Conditions today were a bit warmer, and when it’s colder in the evening, it’s very different to play. So yeah, that’s it.".

From tactical brilliance to philosophical reflections, Jannik Sinner continues to impress both on and off the court. With his combination of skill, consistency, and perspective, the Italian is proving he is ready to handle whatever the US Open throws at him next.