If it ain’t broke, do not repair it. Which may appear to be good recommendation, particularly for Jannik Sinner, who gained two of the 4 majors in 2025 and got here inside one level of a three-point lead.
However standing nonetheless shouldn’t be an possibility when the person who refused the opposite two sturdy hits is Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz leads head-to-head 10-6 and has gained seven of their previous 9 conferences, profitable 5 in a row earlier than Sinner beat him final summer time to say his first Wimbledon title.
For sinners, one thing wanted to alter. Shortly after shedding to Alcaraz in final 12 months’s U.S. Open ultimate, he recognized precisely what he wanted: versatility.
“In the present day was very predictable,” he mentioned in New York. “Throughout this event, I did not hit a single serve volley, and I did not use plenty of drop photographs. And in opposition to Carlos, I attain some extent the place I’ve to step out of my consolation zone. I’ll goal to be a little bit extra unpredictable as a participant, as a result of I believe that is what I must do… to change into a greater tennis participant.”
Sinner is the two-time defending champion on the Australian Open, which started on Sunday. If he wins one other one, he’ll change into the one participant within the British Open period to win three consecutive titles, other than two-time champion Novak Djokovic. Nonetheless, Sinner is aware of he could have to supply one thing completely different if he faces Alcaraz within the finals as he begins his title protection.
The transition began shortly. Sinner gained 4 of the 5 tournaments after the US Open, together with the ATP Tour Finals, relying totally on his standard fashion of fine baseline play, however mixing issues up extra usually, utilizing drop photographs extra usually and discovering the web extra usually.
In accordance with Tennis Information Improvements, Sinner elevated his shot variation, or how a lot a participant adjustments his shot choice, from 11.7 p.c to 13.7 p.c. This represents a 17 p.c enhance, though nonetheless effectively under the tour common of 19.1 p.c.
He additionally elevated his slice utilization from 3.6% to 4.2%, his drop shot hit fee from 1.5% to 2%, and, most importantly, his web play success fee from 3% to 4.3%.
Enhancing his web recreation was one among Sinner’s principal offseason targets. “We have put plenty of effort into shifting into the web,” Sinner mentioned at Melbourne Park on Friday. “We have made some adjustments concerning the serve, nevertheless it’s all small issues. If you’re on the high stage, the little issues make the distinction. I believe within the first match we’ll attempt to get used to the texture of the sport once more after which we’ll attempt to add issues. We’ll see how issues go. We’ll see what circumstances we play in.”
Selection comes simply to Alcaraz, who loves going to the web as a lot as doable and gained his first ATP Tour match in Tokyo after the U.S. Open by serving out and hitting three drop photographs.
Altering your pure recreation is rarely simple. Take Coco Gauff, who gained her second Grand Slam title final 12 months. However efforts to alter her fragile second serve are nonetheless a piece in progress.
Ivan Lendl labored tirelessly to enhance his web recreation with the intention to win Wimbledon within the Nineteen Eighties, and missed the French Open, the place he had gained 3 times. It did not work. Andy Murray, with Lendl’s assist as coach, added extra energy and aggression to his authentic recreation, nevertheless it took time to see outcomes. Jack Draper was a pure counterpuncher. As a result of, as he defined, he was brief as a baby. It took time for him to change into extra aggressive.
It’s also harmful to focus an excessive amount of on one individual. Roger Federer admitted he needed to change his recreation to beat Rafael Nadal. A number of years later, when he additionally made different adjustments, reminiscent of utilizing a racquet with a bigger head, he found the key and gained seven of his final eight matches.
Sinner’s adjustments are much less drastic and designed to enhance the possibilities for everybody, not simply Alcaraz. “If I’ll add something to my recreation, the purpose is to get higher as a tennis participant,” Sinner mentioned. “It isn’t about beating one man. It is extra about feeling comfy in each state of affairs. That is what we tried to do within the offseason.”
“We put in plenty of effort bodily. The bodily half now is essential as a result of matches will be very lengthy and really intense on the similar time. Tennis could be very quick now. It’s important to be at the most effective bodily stage doable. The season could be very lengthy so you need to handle your physique in the very best approach. Additionally, the psychological skill to remain there on a regular basis, that’s going to be essential.”
There are only a few issues with Sinner’s recreation. Final 12 months, he turned the primary man to guide the proportion of service video games gained and return video games gained. However even small enhancements could make an enormous distinction, particularly in opposition to Alcaraz.
