Jannik Sinner didn't agree at all with Jack Draper's claim that his only weakness was being "too nice" as the 23-year-old Italian went on to provide a lengthy explanation of what he could still improve in his game while making his point.
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Playing in his first Grand Slam semifinal, the 25th-seeded Briton actually managed to compete very well against the No. 1 seed and make the top favorite for the title work extremely hard. But when the moment came for the 22-year-old to deliver the final punch and close out the set, he couldn't come up with the goods as the Italian escaped with a straight-set 7-5 7-6 (3) 6-2 win.
After the match, Draper was asked if he could identify any of Sinner's weaknesses. That's when the rising British star proceeded to tell reporters there weren't any really in his game but that one could possibly be found in his personality.
It should be noted that they recently played doubles together at the Montreal Masters and that they have become good friends off the court.
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Whats one weakness? He doesnt have many, Mate. One. Dont know. Maybe hes too nice (laughing). the Briton said.
To no one's surprise, the reporters made sure to let Sinner know about what the 22-year-old had said about him. And while the 23-year-old Italian confirmed that they were helping each other with some stuff, he didn't want to be labeled "too nice."
No, that's not true (smiling). We know each other very well. We had a chance to play doubles together. We give ourselves sometimes some tactical, you know, for example, when he has to play against certain players, you know, sometimes if he asks me, I give him a couple of things trying to play against. Obviously I know I'm righty and he's lefty, so it's completely different," the world No. 1 responded.
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"Yeah, I feel like we are both very nice off the court. We are good friends. On the court, then we try to play some good tennis, and I think that's also what the crowd wants to see. So it's good."
Sinner shares some of his weaknesses
After shutting down Draper's claim, the 2024 US Open finalist was asked if he could then name some of the parts of his game that he feels could be improved. That's when the 23-year-old admitted he would like to improve his volleying skills but also decision-making and some other "small things."
What my weakness is (smiling)? Yeah, going for sure on the net, you know, sometimes I miss some volleys. Shot selection sometimes is still, I feel like I can make it a little bit better. There are also some small things, the small details what makes a big difference in a high level. For sure, me and my team, we know what we have to improve," Sinner explained.
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"Like, today maybe I should have gone maybe a little bit more on the net sometimes, and all this stuff. But, yeah, it takes time, it takes -- it's not like magic, no? You have to go through certain moments. I lost matches, you know, by doing the right things and then you have to keep working on that, and then sometimes I won matches even doing the wrong things. So you always have to talk with your team and trying to find the right balance. So, yeah, I'm quite sure that I still can improve."
Sinner on the state of his wrist after sustaining an injury
Toward the end of the second set, the top-seeded Italian fell on his left wrist and required medical assistance. After getting treatment, he was able to continue the match - win that set - and ultimately get the job done in three sets.
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However, it was still a moment that raised certain injury concerns. But Sinner downplayed it ahead of facing home favorite Taylor Fritz in the US Open final.
"The physio loosened it up very fast on court so I felt okay in the beginning then after it went away with playing which is good. Lets see how it is tomorrow when its cold. Its gonna be a different feeling, hopefully, its nothing to concern about. Im quite relaxed because if its something bad you feel it straightaway a bit more so yeah lets see how it is," the Italian said.
When the No. 1 seed and 12th-ranked American Fritz clash against each other on Sunday, it will be their third meeting and the first one outside the Indian Wells Masters. Previously, the American won 6-4 6-3 in 2021 Indian Wells but the current world No. 1 got his revenge last year in the desert when he triumphed 6-4 4-6 6-4.
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Fritz may be in the midst of his best Grand Slam run but there is no doubt that Sinner is the favorite to win the US Open final.
