Jannik Sinner Wins Vienna but Offers Hope for Rivals in 2026
Locker Room
October 27, 2025
Jannik Sinner knows there are two threats to his dreams of world domination: Carlos Alcaraz and his own body.
There was no Alcaraz on the other side of the net in Vienna. But the threat of physical breakdown midway through the deciding set against Sascha Zverev was very real.
Jannik Sinner knows how the physical rigours of Grand Slam tournaments like Wimbledon 2026 present an even greater risk.
Five-set matches at the end of a gruelling fortnight can sometimes mean having to play through the pain barrier.
Sinner survived such demands to become Wimbledon champion during the summer – after a pulsating final against arch-rival Alcaraz.
But even in a three-set affair against Zverev in Austria, the physical stresses seemed to be getting the better of the favourite.
Jannik’s left hamstring troubled him. He struggled to move comfortably. Was it a slight strain or cramp? The German must have sensed the chance for victory.
Sinner is extremely stubborn, though. He is also strategically astute. And of course there was the famous pickle juice to work as a miracle cure at changeovers.
Extra aggression and superb serving shortened points. That allowed him to prevail when rallies did become marathons – such as the epic for the crucial break at the death.
As he reflected upon his dramatic 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory, however, Sinner knew it had been touch and go. The pain had been cramp – but severe nonetheless.
He said: ‘It was very difficult of course. The most important thing was not to give up and try to stay there. Try to see what he situation was.
‘I just tried to make the right choices at the right time. I think that was the key today.’
Jannik Sinner will return to Wimbledon 2026 as defending champion. He will hope his mental strength can overcome any physical ailment.
But the amount Sinner seems to suffer will give his grass-court rivals some hope, at least. For most, it will be their only hope.
Jannik is a machine. He is on a 21-match winning streak on indoor hard courts. But the grass next summer will level the playing field a little.
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