By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Emotional hangovers can hang-out even skilled gamers.
Jannik Sinner says he is shaken off the ATP Finals thrashing he absorbed by the hands of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s closing and is able to roll within the Davis Cup Finals.
“I believe each participant in the long run of the season is a bit bit drained. Not solely bodily but additionally mentally,” Sinner mentioned. “It has been a extremely lengthy season for all of us. Clearly each week is completely different.
“I got here right here not so way back, however bodily I really feel able to compete 100%. Tomorrow I’ve nonetheless one follow day, which I’ll use to follow, but additionally making an attempt to relaxation.”
A powerful Italian squad of Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Lorenzo Sonego, Matteo Arnaldi and Simone Bolelli face The Netherlands in Thursday’s 10 a.m. quarterfinal on the indoor exhausting court docket of Malaga, Spain.
Tallon Griekspoor, Botic Van de Zandschulp, Wesley Koolhof, Matwe Middelkoop lead captain Paul Haarhuis’ Dutch squad.
Griekspoor mentioned Sinner is taking part in one of the best tennis of his profession proper now, but additionally figures to be fatigued coming off 5 matches in eight days in Turin.
“I believe he is taking part in one of the best tennis he is ever been taking part in in his life,” Griekspoor mentioned of Sinner. “Enjoying the Finals of the Masters is one thing actually large.
Yeah, it may be a extremely, actually exhausting and hard match, however I am trying ahead to it. Robust problem, however I really feel like I’ve an opportunity.
“I’ll get some probabilities right here and there, going to be actually exhausting, should play my finest. Such as you mentioned, hopefully he is a bit drained. He performed lots, the Italian crowd behind him all week. Yeah, powerful match. That is all I can say for now. Trying ahead to face him on Thursday.”
The winner of the Italy vs. Netherlands quarterfinal will play both a Serbian squad led by Djokovic or a British crew headed by Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper.
Italy is the one crew that boasts three gamers—Sinner, Sonego and Musetti—who’ve scored a singles win over Djokovic.
World No. 4 Sinner, the primary Italian within the 54-year historical past of the ATP Finals to contest the title match, mentioned the Italian crew is targeted on capturing its first Davis Cup since 1976.
“I believe it is a actually, actually vital week for all of us. Got here right here yesterday with clearly good emotions,” Sinner mentioned. “It would not actually matter what occurred final week. Right here is totally new state of affairs.
“It is a crew occasion, so joyful to hitch the Italian crew. Clearly joyful that, you realize, the captain took additionally me as a participant. Then let’s have a look at what’s coming for this week.
“I believe we now have a extremely good and powerful crew. We’ve many, many choices to placed on the court docket, after which we see the way it goes. We are going to give 100%, after which we see what the top outcome can be.”
Photograph credit score: Matthew Calvis
