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Jannik Sinner’s surface secret: Coach picks clay or hard after Monte-Carlo
TL;DR
Jannik Sinner won his first major clay-court title by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in Monte Carlo, reclaiming the world number one ranking. His performance showcased his ability to handle pressure and adapt to challenging weather conditions.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Jannik Sinner delivered a strong performance in Monte Carlo, earning his win over Carlos Alcaraz with a steady and composed display.
Beating Carlos Alcaraz in the final not only gave him his first major clay-court title, but it also put him back at world number one, ahead of his rival.
He was able to handle the pressure well, adapting to difficult weather conditions along the way.
Still, his coach Simone Vagnozzi believes there are areas where Sinner can still get better.
Vagnozzi spoke about their plans for development and mentioned which surface he believes suits Jannik best.
Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images
Simone Vagnozzi says Jannik Sinner still has work to do despite Monte Carlo win
During his post-final press conference, he reflected on the tournament as a whole before addressing the match itself.
Vagnozzi admitted: “Winning here was one of the seasonal objectives. Every day, he’s improved his level, and the match was neck and neck.
“The conditions weren’t the best because of the wind. Last Thursday, we started working on playing with more spin, trying drop shots and more variations in general with the ball. This type of champion senses the trophy and the victory and the confidence he gained from winning in America was fundamental to winning here.”
Before Monte Carlo started, Alcaraz mentioned that he was surprised Sinner chose to play there so soon after Miami. But Vagnozzi made it clear they never considered skipping it.
The Italian explained: “We never thought about not playing here; Jannik wanted to play here in front of the Italian crowd. What we did after Doha was important because, physically, he’s always moved well.
“The thing that makes me proudest of him is his ability to read matches and do different things against everyone. We knew we had to adapt coming here, but we knew he could do well.”
Vagnozzi wrapped up by talking about how surfaces affect play while pointing out an area where Sinner can still get better.
He said: “He’s reaching a very high level on clay,” Vagnozzi began. “When I arrived I thought he played better on clay than on hard courts. We haven’t decided yet whether to go to Madrid or not; we’ll let a few days pass and then decide.
“One detail to improve is the fact that if someone starts returning from way back, it throws you off your game. In the tie-break, he served very well, but both of them struggled to find their first serve because of the wind, but both know that on the second serve, each can do something. The conditions being so slow meant there were fewer points on serve. Jannik’s main quality is that he always manages to put in 100% effort.
“The thing that strikes me from a human perspective is that, despite everything, despite what he’s won, he hasn’t changed as a person. Jannik’s diet is overseen by professionals, and we mustn’t let doubts creep into his mind. The important thing is to stay focused and calm. We need to keep understanding what he’s doing well and continue to follow that path.”
Alcaraz and Sinner share their thoughts on the Monte-Carlo final conditions
As mentioned earlier, the weather played a significant role in Sunday’s Monte Carlo Masters final.
It kept both players from hitting their usual heights, limiting risk-taking and pushing them to play with more margin. Even so, both players still chose to take plenty of chances. That led to Alcaraz finishing with 45 unforced errors, and a total of 93 between them by the end of the match.
Sinner addressed the playing conditions after the match, saying: “Today was not a very high level from both of us. It was windy. Very different conditions from what the tournament has brought until today.”
Alcaraz echoed that feeling but made it clear he didn’t see it as an excuse: “I think today was really difficult conditions, because I just consider myself that I play great tennis when there is a lot of wind. Today’s wind was a little bit tricky because it wasn’t in just one direction.
“It was twirling around. One point you play a point with the wind helping and the next point it was totally opposite. So it was tricky to understand where the wind goes.”
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Q&A
How did Jannik Sinner perform in the Monte Carlo final against Carlos Alcaraz?
Jannik Sinner delivered a strong performance, winning the match and securing his first major clay-court title.
What impact did Jannik Sinner's victory in Monte Carlo have on his ranking?
His victory allowed him to reclaim the world number one ranking, surpassing his rival Carlos Alcaraz.
What challenges did Jannik Sinner face during the Monte Carlo match?
Sinner faced difficult weather conditions but managed to adapt and maintain composure throughout the match.
What does Jannik Sinner's win in Monte Carlo mean for his career?
Winning his first major clay-court title marks a significant milestone in Sinner's career and boosts his confidence on this surface.
