Jannik Sinner typically has a relaxed, laid-back demeanour on the tennis court and it’s becoming a little clearer to understand why.
Sinner moved into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a fairly routine 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory over American Marcos Giron in just over two hours on Saturday night.
The world No. 1 wasn’t at his brilliant best, but he was still far too strong for Giron as he reached the last 16 of the grand slam tournament he won last year.
After the match, Sinner was interviewed on court by four-time grand slam champion Jim Courier, who typically likes to delve a little into the personal lives of the world’s best players rather than asking standard questions.
True to form, Courier asked Sinner about his usual routine before and after matches and it quickly elicited a broad smile from the Italian.
There was clearly an in-joke going on and when Courier asked “why is that funny?” Sinner gave an insight to his daily schedule.
“Because I’m watching part of my box and they’re smiling, I don’t know why,” he said on Stan Sport.
“Usually I’m quite relaxed until 20 minutes before the match. So I try to sleep in as long as possible, which I have no doubts I can do that every day.
“I slept around 10 hours last night, which is good.”
That is the sort of sleeping routine to make many people flinch, with regular sleep a huge issue for many people and 10 hours being the type of luxury few get to experience.
Sinner can’t hide a smile as he talks to Jim Courier. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)Source: AFPParents of young children or those with sleeping disorders in particular would often be happy to get half of that time in bed.
Courier had advice for the 23-year-old, stating: “Enjoy it while it lasts my man. It doesn’t last.”
But the world’s top-ranked player appears confident his sleep patterns are here to stay.
He then confided that it’s not just overnight that he manages to get some shut-eye.
“Everyone tells me that. Hopefully I can keep going,” he said. “And then I had again half an hour before the match, again sleeping.
“But hopefully I wake up when it counts. At 7pm I try to be awake.
“But obviously we try to feel the ball a little bit for half an hour, 40 minutes, try to have good food and now it’s quite long because we have to do press, we have to do ice baths, it’s all part of the job and hopefully I’m recovered for tomorrow’s practice.”
Jannik Sinner speaking to Jim Courier post match. Photo: Stan SportSource: Channel 9We’re pretty sure another 10-hour sleep will ensure that is the case.
Pushed on the length of his “work day”, Sinner stated: “Today I arrived around 2.30pm and I’m going to leave in two hours from now, around 11.30pm more or less.
“And then I’m back to bed.”
The crowd at Rod Laver Arena was laughing throughout the interview, partly at Sinner’s answers and partly at disbelief at his sleeping prowess.
Tennis journalist Jose Morgado tweeted: “Sinner says he sleeps 10 hours at night. Maybe that’s the secret.”
It continues an entertaining week for Sinner, who also had a hilarious post-match interview with John McEnroe after his second-round win over Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate on Thursday.
McEnroe, himself a former world No. 1 and a seven-time grand slam singles champion, is renowned as being among the more fiery players on court during his Hall of Fame career.
John McEnroe (right) is escorted off Centre Court during the 1990 Australian Open.Source: Herald SunHe was famously booted from the Australian Open back in 1990 over a series of code violations when he was winning his fourth round match against Swede Mikael Pernfors.
Now a commentator, McEnroe interviewed Sinner on court and asked him about his temperament.
“I’m pretty emotional generally,” the American once known as the “Super Brat” began.
“When I’ve been in Italy, Italians express themselves.
“You’re able to control yourself so well. I want to know how you do it?”
Sinner had a huge smirk across his face when he replied: “We can say we are a bit different, me and you.
“But it shows that everyone is different, everyone has their own mentality.
“I have mine and I have to say I’m quite happy with my one.”
McEnroe fired back: “What are you saying?”
Sinner cracked John McEnroe and the crowd up with his answer. Photo: Channel 9Source: Channel 9Sinner replied: “I think we stop here,” as McEnroe and the entire crowd burst out laughing.
Next up, Sinner takes on the winner of Saturday’s late match between 13th seed Holger Rune and Miomir Kecmanovic.
The Italian knows he needs to raise his level if he wants to repeat last year’s heroics.
“If I want to go on in this tournament I have to improve,” he said.
“Hopefully in the next round I’m able to raise my level. But I’m still very happy.”
At least we know he will be well rested.
