Jannik Sinner ‘constantly learning’ in bid to qualify for ATP Finals

Jannik Sinner is one of the top young talents on the ATP tour and is continuing his push to compete at the elite season-ending event.

The 20-year-old is battling it out in Sofia, Bulgaria this week. He is the number one seed and defending champion at the ATP 250 tournament.

Sinner defeated Belarusian qualifier Egor Gerasimov 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) to kick off his title defence and reach the quarter-finals.

“It is [special],” Sinner admitted after the victory when asked about being back in Sofia. “Obviously I’m very happy to be back here. I shared a lot of love with the fans [here]. Unfortunately this year they are not here.

“But, I am very excited to play here once again and I’m obviously very happy about my first match.”

Sofia marked a first career title back for Sinner back in 2020. He has since won two more tournaments, the ATP 250 Great Ocean Road Open in Melbourne in February of this year, and the Citi Open in Washington DC, an ATP 500 in August.

“I think this year what I have done was good, with some ups and downs,” Sinner also told the ATP Tour. “Every week when I play it’s trying to understand something new, trying to learn something new.”

Sinner started the year ranked 36th in the world. Now, the Italian sits at a career-high 14 in the world.

He is also 11th in the ATP ‘Race to Turin’, the ranking points race to qualify for the ATP Finals.

With Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem out for the rest of the season, Sinner need only come 10th in the rankings to secure a berth at the event.