LONDON : World number one Jannik Sinner said he is feeling better ahead of his Wimbledon title defence after changing his preparations following a shock second-round exit at the French Open, where he struggled with cramp in extreme heat.
The Italian said medical tests since Roland Garros had produced encouraging results, although his team had identified the need to train more in hot conditions as temperatures continue to rise on the tour.
“All tests were really good, even though we are very sure we need to practise in hotter conditions,” Sinner told reporters on Saturday.
“I feel like everywhere where we’re playing, it’s going to be very hot. Every year it’s getting warmer and warmer.
“So it’s a very important topic, but at the same time I’m happy with the work we’re doing. We try to improve in the best possible way and then we’ll see how it goes in the future.”
Sinner, who squandered a two-set lead before losing to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in Paris, said his team had made adjustments in the past two-and-a-half weeks but acknowledged it was impossible to fully replicate the physical and mental demands of a match.
“You cannot simulate 100% what you feel in a match because of tension, of everything going around before and after the match. But we did some changes,” the 24-year-old said.
“It’s a long process. There’s no magic behind. But yeah, we are doing as much as we can. I’m very happy with the work we did in the last 2-1/2 weeks.”
Sinner declined to comment in detail on the growing unrest among players over the distribution of Grand Slam prize money. His press conference lasted just over 10 minutes amid reports that players plan to limit post-match media appearances to 15 minutes during the opening week of Wimbledon as a symbolic protest over the roughly 15% share of tournament revenues allocated to prize money.
The four-time Grand Slam champion opens his bid for a second successive Wimbledon title against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday.
