Jannik Sinner Gives Hilarious Answer on What He Likes The Least About Tennis

The Italian star is seeking to change the current state of things this season as debate on whether he's undergoing a crisis period in his career hit another high after his loss at the Doha Open.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Jannik Sinner, the 24-year-old Italian tennis player, revealed that he finds the press conferences at tournaments the least favorite part of his career as a professional athlete. Sinner, who is currently ranked World No. 2, said he loves going out on the court to play and visiting beautiful places around the host cities, but the constant press conferences where he has to answer the same questions can be tiring.

Why it matters

Sinner's candid response about his dislike for press conferences provides a rare glimpse into the personal experiences and challenges faced by top professional athletes, who must balance their passion for the sport with the demands of media obligations. This insight can help fans better understand the mental and emotional toll that comes with the rigors of elite-level competition.

The details

Sinner entered the Indian Wells Open without a title to his name this season, but he has now booked his place in the fourth round of the tournament after defeating Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-2. Despite dropping serve in the opening game, Sinner recovered brilliantly, showcasing his powerful forehand shots in the second set to win the match after an hour and 11 minutes. Sinner praised Shapovalov, saying he is a high-quality player, and that he was happy with how he reacted to the tough start.

  • Sinner entered the Indian Wells Open without a title to his name this season.
  • He opened his campaign at the Australian Open, where he reached the semi-finals for the third consecutive season.
  • After a two-week break, he returned to the court at the Doha Open, where he was shockingly defeated in the quarter-finals by Jakub Mensik.
  • Sinner won his third-round match at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Jannik Sinner

A 24-year-old Italian tennis player who is currently ranked World No. 2. He is seeking to win his first Indian Wells title and change the current state of his season, which has been marked by some unexpected losses.

Denis Shapovalov

A Canadian tennis player who Sinner defeated 6-3, 6-2 in the third round of the Indian Wells tournament. Sinner praised Shapovalov as a high-quality player.

Joao Fonseca

Sinner's next opponent at the Indian Wells tournament. Fonseca has only one loss against players ranked in the top 30 since September, while winning seven.

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What they’re saying

“What I like the least are the press conferences (smiles), always answering the same questions. It's not that I dislike it. It's part of the job, you know. I like going out, playing, and living. I think we have a wonderful life. We see so many fantastic places… Obviously, by doing it over and over every year, you always go to the same places, so you already know beforehand what kind of places you like a bit more and which ones you like a bit less.”

— Jannik Sinner (firstsportz.com)

“Denis is a high quality player, as we know. He's an in-form player, so I'm very happy with my performance. I tried to stay solid at the baseline, but also a bit more aggressive in the second set, which helped me. It was a tough start for me, but I'm happy with how I reacted.”

— Jannik Sinner (firstsportz.com)

What’s next

Sinner will face Joao Fonseca next at the Indian Wells tournament. It will be their first meeting on tour.

The takeaway

Sinner's candid admission about disliking press conferences, despite the demands of his profession, provides a relatable and humanizing perspective on the challenges faced by top athletes. This insight underscores the need for greater understanding and support for the mental well-being of sports stars, who must balance their passion for the game with the rigors of media obligations and public scrutiny.