ORTISEI, November 13, 2019
Jannik Sinner made his first appearance at this week’s Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena Südtirol on Tuesday evening. In front of packed stands at the Tennis Club Ortisei, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion from South Tyrol teamed up in doubles with his practice partner from the Piatti Tennis Academy and only 15-year-old Lorenzo Ferri.
“I am glad that I am back,” Sinner told journalists during a press conference after the young duo fell to the experienced Dutchmen and No. 2 seeds Sander Arends and David Pel. “I have good memories of Val Gardena. I won my first ATP Challenger match here last year. I hope I can finish the season in a successful way, but it will not be easy.”
Look who’s back 😀
Fresh off his victory in Milan, @janniksin prepares for his season finale at @tennisortisei. He opens against Lucas Miedler in a sold-out night session on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/XrSyJOgvmb
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 13, 2019
Sinner, who arrived following his triumph in Milan last Saturday, is seeded second at the €46,600 ATP Challenger event and will play his opening match after a first-round bye against Austria’s Lucas Miedler on Wednesday evening.
“The court here is completely different than in Milan and Lucas is a very solid player. But I will try to do my best and I will just look from game to game.”
The 18-year-old is realistic: “There are always some moments in tennis when it is not going well but you still have to look forward and take the positive. It is important to have fun on the court. Lorenzo Ferri is a good friend of mine and he plays better than me at the age of 15.”
It’s been a breakthrough season for Sinner. The San Candido native clinched his first two ATP Challenger titles on home soil in Bergamo as well as in Lexington in the United States and celebrated his biggest triumph by lifting the Next Gen ATP Finals trophy in Milan last weekend.
“Of course there is more pressure now after this great year but I will give my best this week here,” Sinner is looking forward to his final challenge of the year.
