Jannik Sinner is wasting no time at all in hitting the courts following a killer defeat in Roland Garros last Sunday. The loss to rival Carlos Alcaraz was a giant, tough pill to swallow, resulting in far too many sheep and loss of sleep.
Despite the defeat in Paris, Sinner is right back at it in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, this week for the Halle Open, one of several grass-court lead-ups to Wimbledon.
Halle will serve as a hopeful and much-needed rebound for Sinner. That said, everyone knows the event he has his eyes set on is in London at the end of June. That also said, a deep run in Halle won't hinder a confidence boost if Sinner requires one at all.
Jannik Sinner prioritizes mental readiness and positivity in Halle
For someone who missed essentially the first half of the tennis season due to a controversial suspension, Sinner hasn't lost a beat, and that's with the loss at Roland Garros. You know you're great when you claim victory in the year-opening Grand Slam event in Australia, only to miss the following three and a half months, then return and go straight to the finals in your first two events.
That's what Sinner did at the Italian Open, his first taste of tennis since Australia. He went straight to the finals there and mirrored that run with another finals appearance in Paris, each time falling to Alcaraz, though.
Still, to make two consecutive runs in two big-time events is something only greats can do, and Sinner is well on his way. Perhaps that is what motivates him to get Halle underway. A few days before Sinner plays his opening match on Tuesday, he spoke about his motivation following the French Open and his excitement in returning to Halle.
"I think that it is not the most important thing, but I nevertheless try to forget the negative things and see what I can do here in Halle.
"I think that for me to play another tournament is positive, because every match is a new beginning, and I must be mentally ready to give my all on the court. Therefore, it is great I can be here in Halle. Yes, I had already a few sleepless nights, but I think every day it gets better."
One advantage Sinner has over the field is his status as reigning champion on Halle's grounds. It's also worth noting that on his return to grass, Sinner has significantly improved on the surface since last year's grass season. Whichever surface, though, judging by his previous two tournament results, no one should be surprised to see Sinner once again one of the last two men standing by this time next weekend.