“This one hurts”: Jannik Sinner ready for ‘simple family’ time after Roland Garros heartbreak

PARIS, France — Jannik Sinner found himself one point away from claiming his first Roland Garros title on Sunday—chasing what would have been his second Grand Slam title of the year, and his first ever away from hard courts.

But despite the world No. 1 leading by two sets to love and by a break in the third, and then later having three match points in the fourth set, everything changed in the blink of an eye. Alcaraz found another gear, and pulled off the mother of all comebacks to clinch a 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) victory.

Read More: Carlos Alcaraz saves three match points, tops Jannik Sinner in longest Roland Garros final of Open Era

“I tried to (mentally) delete everything, every set,” Sinner reflected afterward. “In Grand Slams you try to start from zero again.

“I was of course disappointed about the fourth set and match points and serving for the match. But again, I stayed there mentally. I didn't give him any free points.”

The normally calm and collected Sinner was visibly emotional as he accepted his runner-up trophy after suffering his first defeat in a Grand Slam final. “I won’t sleep tonight very well, but it’s okay,” he joked during his on-court speech.

But later on in his post-match press conference, the Italian was ready to find the positives—and enjoy a bit of “simple family” time, as he said in our Tennis.com Quote du Jour:

Q. Are there other disappointments you think you've had, on the court or even off the court, that you think will help you recover from this and move on?

JANNIK SINNER: Yeah, I mean, my family, the people who know me, now they are helping me.

It's (about) giving at times, and sometimes you take something. And now it's my time to take something from the close people I have.

They would for sure be happy that I come back home (and be) with my family, with everyone. We are just a very simple family. My dad was not here because he was working today. Nothing of our success changes in the family.

It was nice to see my mom here. And I guess my dad, he was watching on TV—if he finished work. It's okay.

It's (about) giving at times, and sometimes you take something. And now it's my time to take something from the close people I have.

As I always said before my career started, I never would have thought to find myself in this position. (It) was not even a dream, because it was so far and I was not thinking about this.

Now I find myself here, playing the longest match in history of Roland Garros in a final. It hurts, yes, but in other way you cannot keep going crying... So, it happens.

Read More: "Incredible!" Rafael Nadal heaps praise on Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner after "best Roland Garros final ever"

After Sinner mentally “deletes” this result, the world No. 1 will hit the practice court to prepare for the grass-court swing.

He is next scheduled to compete at the ATP 500-level Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, which starts on June 16.