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Jannik Sinner pleased with "great season" but ready to target improvements

"I grew as a player but also as a person, which for me is very important," he said after narrowly losing to Daniil Medvedev at the ATP Finals.

ByKamakshi Tandon

Published Nov 19, 2021

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ATP Finals Highlights: Medvedev edges Sinner

It's been a positive 2021 for Jannik Sinner, though he prefers to look at it as good preparation for doing even better next season.

The 20-year-old would probably say the same about his week at the ATP Finals. The hard-hitting youngster didn't qualify for one of the eight spots in the Turin field, but moved into the event when Matteo Berrettini, a fellow Italian, had to withdraw with injury. Despite not having a shot at the semifinals, Sinner held two match points against No. 2 Daniil Medvedev before falling, 6-0, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (8), in front of the roaring home crowds,

"Obviously it was not the way I want to end it, but I think I can be proud after the first set like this. I found a solution, which was the best thing I could do," Sinner told press.

"Of course it can give me a lot of confidence for the next year in one way. In the other way, I know that I have still to improve many, many things."

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Sinner also reached his first Masters 1000 final earlier this year in Miami.

Next time, he wants to get straight in rather than as an alternate, but his first showing at the elite event was still a reflection of a breakthrough season where he won four titles and broke into the Top 10 in the rankings.

"I grew as a player but also as a person, which for me is very important. I think it was a great season," he said. "If somebody expect[ed] it or not, I don't know, but finishing Top 10, it's great for me. It's a big pleasure to be part of these incredible players.

"On the other hand, I know what I have to improve."

Sinner wants to work on several aspects of his game during the off-season, especially his serving, and get stronger.

"Now we have time to do that, especially physically," he said.

"I don't want to rush. That's for me the main goal, not rushing. I'm 20. Next year, I'm 21. There are still many, many years hopefully that I can play on this level."

Sinner, who is projected to finish as the year-end No. 10, is slated to wrap up his season by representing Italy at the Davis Cup Finals later this month.

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