Mochizuki Surprised After Loss to Jannik Sinner

Suddenly thrust onto the world stage, Shintaro Mochizuki put on a strong performance on Wimbledon’s Center Court against Jannik Sinner. The Japanese tennis player did not get overwhelmed by the world No. 1, and for parts of the match—especially in the second set—he even managed to hold his own against the Italian, though he was ultimately defeated in all three sets by his more accomplished opponent.

After the match, the world No. 151 shared his thoughts: “I think it was a fantastic match. To be honest, I thought I’d lose easily,” he said, surprised, at the press conference. “But instead, I think I played well, and even though the score was 3-0, I felt it was a hard-fought match.”

“I gave it my all and used every ounce of my strength, so I have no regrets. Being able to play against the world No. 1 on this incredible court definitely gave me a lot of confidence. It was the first time I’d played on the center court of a Grand Slam. I felt that if I focused on myself, did what I needed to do, and concentrated on every point, I could have made a run even against Jannik Sinner. My shots have a low trajectory, so I noticed he was having a bit of trouble lifting the ball.”

“His serve is fantastic, so it was tough, but I think I did my best. I had some chances, and that’s what I learned from this match. I want to use the confidence I’ve gained from this experience to my advantage in the future,” the Japanese player concluded.