The Italian has been touted as one of tennis\u2019 future greats
\nMELBOURNE
\nA composed Jannik Sinner is ready for what comes next after winning a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, saying he likes to \u201cdance in the pressure storm\u201d.
\nEver since bursting on the scene as a 17-year-old in 2019, the Italian has been touted as one of tennis\u2019 future greats.
\nIt has been a five-year grind to reach the pinnacle with his come-from-behind five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev in Melbourne on Sunday, and the prodigious young talent is taking it in his stride.
\n\u201cI\u2019m extremely happy that I am in this position now. I have a great team behind me who knows what I have to do,\u201d he said of the extra spotlight that will now inevitably fall on him.
\nHe pointed to having Darren Cahill in his corner as a coach, with the Australian having been there and done that.
\nCahill guided Lleyton Hewitt to become the second youngest player ranked world number one before coaching Andre Agassi to become the oldest player to achieve the feat.
\nHe has also worked with a host of other high-profile players including Andy Murray and Simona Halep, guiding the Romanian to the French Open title.
\n\u201cWith Darren, he has a lot of experience. He has been through this already a number of times,\u201d said Sinner.
\n\u201cSo, you know, it\u2019s all part of the process. Obviously having this trophy, it\u2019s an amazing feeling. I feel grateful to have this here.
\n\u201cBut I know that I have to work even harder, because the opponents,… will find the way to beat me and I have to be prepared. Let\u2019s see what\u2019s coming in the future.\u201d
\nA striking aspect of Sinner\u2019s time in Melbourne was his calm and composed demeanour, even when he found himself in trouble.
\nAgainst an ultra-aggressive Medvedev, he did not panic when he fell two sets behind, instead looking for chinks in the Russian\u2019s armour and when a chance arose, he took it.
\n\u201cThere is always pressure, but the pressure is something good. You have to take it in a good way. It\u2019s a privilege, no?,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cSo yes, I like to dance in the pressure storm. Personally, I like it, because that\u2019s where most of the time I bring out my best tennis. I\u2019m also quite relaxed in this occasion, because I always try to enjoy being on the court.\u201d
\nThe 22-year-old is the first Italian man to win a Slam since Adriano Panatta in 1976 and the youngest man to win the Australian Open since Novak Djokovic in 2008.
\nIt capped a highly successful six months for Sinner, who clinched his maiden ATP Masters crown in Toronto last August.
\nHe backed that up with titles in Beijing and Vienna before reaching the championship match on home soil at November\u2019s ATP Finals and guiding Italy to Davis Cup success.
\nFor Sinner, it has been the result of long-term thinking by him and his team.
\n\u201cI think what I did not last year, but two years ago, getting to know my body better, getting to know my team better. This was a very important step for me,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThen last year we tried to have some more results. That made me believe that I can compete against the best players in the world.
\n\u201cBut (here) I still have to process it, because beating Novak in the semis and then Daniil in the final, they are tough players to beat.
\n\u201cSo it\u2019s a great moment for me and my team, but we also know that we have to improve if we want to have another chance to hold a big trophy again.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Italian has been touted as one of tennis\u2019 future greats MELBOURNE A composed Jannik Sinner is ready for what comes next after winning a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, saying he likes to \u201cdance in the pressure storm\u201d. Ever since bursting on the scene as a 17-year-old in 2019, the Italian […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":384059,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-384039","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n