Jannik Sinner was well-liked wherever he went, and he was always gracious to the media.
That doesn’t mean the 24-year-old has to enjoy press conferences. Frankly, press conferences are part of the job that most athletes tolerate rather than embrace, and we can now confirm that Sinner is firmly in the tolerance camp.
After Sinner defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-2 in Indian Wells on Sunday, the Italian was asked what he disliked most about tennis.
He didn’t hesitate.
“Press conference,” he said. “Always answer the same question.”
Then he slowly backed away a little, perhaps to make sure he didn’t hurt the feelings of the reporters in the room.
“I mean, it’s not like it’s not like it. It’s just part of the job, you know,” he said.
Sinner said he’s the kind of guy who likes to let his bat do the talking, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Well done to Pete Sampras, who ended up winning 14 Grand Slam titles.
“You know, I like to go out and live,” he said.
Sinner, who has four major championships, made it clear that if it were up to him, he would finish the tournament and go home.
“There’s really nothing I don’t like,” he said. “I’m here to do this kind of thing, the media, and I’m not the type of person who likes to do that. I don’t want to or need to show it.”
The Italian will return to the court where he belongs on Tuesday night against Brazil’s Joao Fonseca.
