Table tennis and BBQs with friends: Jannik Sinner is healing his Roland Garros heartbreak

HALLE, GERMANY — A week can be a long time in tennis. Just ask Jannik Sinner.

Last Sunday, the world No. 1 suffered one of the toughest losses of his career after failing to convert three championship points against Carlos Alcaraz in the longest Roland Garros final of all-time.

But just seven days later, the Italian is rejuvenated and ready for the grass season—and it’s all thanks to his friends and family.

Sinner went straight from Paris to his hometown Sexten in South Tyrol to reunite with those who know him best.

“I relaxed a lot with my family, had a barbecue, played table tennis with my friends. Just normal stuff, nothing special,” Sinner explained on his arrival in Halle, Germany, ahead of Monday’s Terra Wortmann Open. “I always like going home when there's a lot going on. I feel very safe with my family and friends, that's why. They know what I'm like and what I used to be like. That's why they know me very, very well and didn't do much.”

It sounds idyllic, but the three-time Grand Slam champion admitted it’s been tough to forget the memory of Sunday’s final and the three match points that he wasn’t able to convert.

"I've had a few sleepless nights because of that," he confessed. "But yes, I think it's getting better every day. My family is behind me, all my friends and the circle of friends I have. That's the most important thing for me. They're doing well, so outside of tennis, that's an even more important part of my life."

Focusing on the positives

With the clay-court season now behind him, the switch to grass has been a fresh start for Sinner. He arrives in Halle as the defending champion, with an adoring German fanbase that has welcomed him with open arms.

“I'll try to forget the negative stuff and see what I can do here. I think playing in a tournament again is positive for me because every game starts at 0-0 and you always have to be mentally prepared to fight for every point on the court. That’s why it's great for me to be back here in Halle and see how it goes,” he said.

“The most important thing now is to get back to 100% for this tournament. The first grass match will be very, very difficult, as you know, but I'm very happy to be here.”

He may be number one in the world, but Sinner like most players finds the rapid surface switch a challenge—but it’s one that he’s embracing:

"The first training session was OK. I haven't played since Paris, so the general feeling on the court isn't perfect, but I think it will definitely get better starting today,” he continued.

Doing things differently

Halle is perhaps the perfect place for Sinner to find his peace. Unlike most of the other European ATP tournaments, the Terra Wortmann Open is staged in a quiet town with a population of just 21,000. The players’ hotel is adjacent to the venue, which is surrounded by tranquil countryside. It’s a far cry from other grass tournaments like Stuttgart, Berlin or Queen’s, with their busy city life.

I think a good grass player is someone who can move well. The ball can bounce a bit sometimes, that's grass. And you have to hit the ball very intelligently. But I think, in general, it's a surface where I definitely made a leap forward last year. Now let's see how it goes this year. Jannik Sinner

And for Sinner personally, it represents a career milestone: the first tournament he competed at after becoming world No. 1 in 2024.

“I like this tournament. It's a bit different because you sleep here and the courts are here, so you have less stress and you can organise your day differently with me, with training sessions and everything,” he reflected.

“But for me, since last year, a few things have changed. I'm in a different situation, so I feel at home here, let's say, because the first tournament as number one is perhaps the most special thing you can play. It's the first time you experience those emotions and now I'm back here.”

He also returns to Halle as the world's top-ranked player. Sinner has held the position for 53 consecutive weeks and counting. Only Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, Lleyton Hewitt and Novak Djokovic have remained at the top for longer on their first try.

“It's a huge honor for me to be part of these names. But in the other way, I'm myself. I make my history for myself,” Sinner added.

“It's, of course, amazing company I have or that I am part of. As I said, in Paris, I would never thought that I would be in this position once in my life. It's amazing. Now I am there, now I know my potential.”