Sinner: Body needs to improve at Roland-Garros

“Tennis-wise I felt quite good today on court,” Sinner said. “I felt quite good on the court trying to mix up the game a little bit more like I used to do. [This] gives me more solutions.”

Physically, however, the Italian is still unhappy with his level.

Body has room for improvement, says Sinner

To the naked eye, it’s hard to believe that Sinner isn’t operating at his best.

He’s dropped serve only twice on his way to the round of 16, breaking his opponents 13 times and crushing 108 winners across the nine sets he’s played. Not exactly shabby tennis.

However, the 22-year-old is still critical of his level, and looks forward to making more improvements.

“Physically I feel like I still have to improve a couple of things,” Sinner revealed after his win over Kotov on Friday.

“It’s very important to rest, especially tomorrow. I’m trying to be ready for the next round. It’s a very physical Grand Slam, so every single situation on the court I try to judge it in a positive way at the moment.

“I know that there are tough moments on the court, but, you know, you have to accept it and see the general side.”

The No 2 seed continued, explaining how he’s pleased with his progress recovering from a hip injury in April, but the job’s not done.

“We were working a lot trying to be in the position where I am right now. I am happy at the moment knowing that I have to improve the physical shape, no, for the next round, but let’s see what we can do tomorrow. 

“The hip at the moment feels good, which I’m very, very proud. Me and my team, we made a very good job to be in the position to play here. 

“As I said, the general physical shape is not where I want to be. We try to prepare my body in the best possible way.”

Next up, Sinner will face the last remaining Frenchman at Roland-Garros, the mercurial Corentin Moutet, on Sunday.