Jannik Sinner’s progress at the US Open might be described as a case of one step backwards, two steps forward.
The most significant entry in the minus column came, of course, with last week’s revelation that the Italian world No 1 had been cleared of wrongdoing after failing two drugs tests in March. Amid the intense scrutiny that followed, Sinner got off to a faltering start in the opening round against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States, dropping the first set, and the early stages of his latest outing were barely less problematic.
Up against another American in the shape of Alex Michelsen, the world No 49 and a finalist in Winston-Salem last week, Sinner was twice pegged back after claiming an early break. It seemed another backward step might be in the offing. But then Michelsen conceded a third break with a double fault, Sinner served out the set, and the top seed regained his customary assurance, cruising to a 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 victory.
With two rounds safely navigated, the big picture looks encouraging for Sinner. This was his 50th victory of the season and sixth in a row. He started the year by winning his maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open. Last week in Cincinnati, he lifted his fifth trophy of the campaign, tightening his grip on the No 1 ranking he acquired in June. At the weekend, he will face New Zealand’s Christopher O’Connell, ranked 87th, for a place in the last-16 at Flushing Meadows.
Away from the court, however, things are not so simple. Sinner’s doping case remains a source of heated debate in the locker room as well as on social media, where Nick Kyrgios has been especially vocal in his criticism of the Italian, branding it “ridiculous” that the Italian was not banned for two years. Asked how he would feel if Kyrgios, who is working for ESPN during the tournament, were to interview him on court in Arthur Ashe Stadium after one of his matches, Sinner toed a diplomatic line.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “I don’t want to respond on what he said. Everyone is free to say everything. It’s OK. If that is the case, let’s see. It’s going to be different, for sure.
“I don’t know what to say. Maybe I say something now and then the reaction will be something else. I’m always quite relaxed. I’m someone who forgets things quite fast. Everyone is free to say everything. It is what it is.”
Sinner has made peace with the fact that he cannot control the reaction of his peers, but the noise around the affair can hardly be helpful as he attempts to plot a course to a second major title. If the seedings hold, the 23-year-old may have to go through Tommy Paul, Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz merely to earn the right to face Novak Djokovic in the final; an ability to focus in the face of external distractions will be crucial. Sinner, however, says his recent experiences have afforded him a broader perspective that he can use to his advantage.
“You realise that there is also a life outside of tennis, which is much more important than what we do, because our daily routine is to hit tennis balls and go in the gym. You see that some people, they are sick. There are different things that come in my mind.
“I said, ‘OK, tennis is big for me, because it showed me what I am as a person and how important the sport is, but in the other way there is a life outside of tennis, which is even more important. Trying to be healthy, surround yourself with good people.’
“That for me, it is more important, no? Then on the tennis court, obviously, I try to do my best. I try to fight and let the spectators enjoy also the show. For me I believe that I have grown also as a person [during] this period, regardless of how everything is going, which hopefully can help me in the future.”