What changes is Jannik Sinner making to his game?

Sinner is increasing his game's variety, incorporating more drop shots and improving his net play to become less predictable.

Why does Jannik Sinner need to change his game against Carlos Alcaraz?

Carlos Alcaraz has a winning head-to-head record against Sinner, prompting Sinner to adapt his strategy to gain an advantage.

When did Sinner start adapting his game?

Sinner began focusing on game variety immediately after losing to Alcaraz in the US Open final last year.

Home / Sports / Sinner Evolves: Adapting Game to Conquer Alcaraz

Sinner Evolves: Adapting Game to Conquer Alcaraz

20 Jan

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Summary

Sinner is enhancing game variety, increasing net play and drop shots.
Alcaraz leads their head-to-head record, prompting Sinner's changes.
Sinner aims for unpredictability to gain an edge against rivals.

Sinner Evolves: Adapting Game to Conquer Alcaraz

Jannik Sinner, the two-time defending Australian Open champion, is actively adapting his tennis strategy to counter the persistent challenge posed by Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz currently leads their head-to-head series 10-6, having won seven of their last nine encounters, including multiple Grand Slam finals. This dominant record has prompted Sinner to move beyond his predictable baseline play.

Following his loss to Alcaraz in the US Open final last year, Sinner identified a need for greater variety. He has since increased his game's unpredictability, with notable enhancements in drop shots and net play. Statistics show an increase in Sinner's shot selection variety from 11.7% to 13.7%, with net play rising from 3% to 4.3%.

This strategic shift is not solely focused on Alcaraz but aims to improve Sinner's overall game, making him a more versatile and comfortable player in various match situations. He has also emphasized physical conditioning and mental resilience, recognizing their critical importance in modern, fast-paced tennis.