Jannik Sinner believes he holds an edge over lot of other players on the ATP circuit from other countries.
Sinner says that the support from the Italian authorities in tennis is great and helps players in their careers. He also highlighted how the high number of low-level events that take place in Italy allow young Italian players to launch their careers without excessive travelling.
“First of all, we have good structures in Italy,” Sinner said when asked about the impact of extra Challenger and Futures events being added to the Italian plate.
“We have great coaches, physical trainers, physiotherapists. We have, starting from junior tournaments to future and challenger, we have some really important ATP tournaments potentially for the players who made it to play there.
“But you could stay the whole time in Italy and play tournaments. So also for players who don’t like to travel a lot, they can stay in Italy. They can play from one tournament to the other one a lot basically in the same place.
“I think this is one thing that helps the Italian players. I was one guy who preferred to go out of Italy a little bit, trying to see different, you know, visions of tennis, because I think this helps more when you grow up.
“But potentially you can stay there in Italy, and then you can finish, you know, hopefully in the biggest tournament in our sport. So yeah, I think we can consider ourselves very, very lucky being Italian.”
Sinner’s will next face Daniil Medvedev for a third Miami final qualification and he knows well how tough the ask becomes against the Russian.
“Tough match obviously,” Sinner said of the prospect of facing Medvedev.
“He made the final in Indian Wells. Also, he has good confidence. He is playing really good, especially here in this tournament. Last year he won.
“But let’s see. It’s going to be a very tactical match potentially, because, you know, I have to be ready if he starts off in a similar way as in Australia. I have to be ready and trying to understand it before. Then maybe he’s gonna change a couple of things.”
Sinner and Medvedev, the current world No. 3 and 4 respectively, have a total of 10 meetings before with the latter winning six. However, the Italian has remained victorious in the last four encounters in a period of 5 months.
“It’s going to be an interesting test for me,” said the 22-year-old.
“Hopefully I can show some good tennis. And that’s it.
“Physical shape I feel good. Because it’s going to be a very physical match in the next round, and let’s see what’s coming.”