Jannik Sinner prepares for the turnaround: the Azure has a fixed thought

The semifinal defeat at the 2026 Australian Open left a deep mark on Jannik Sinner. It couldn&#8217t be otherwise for the Sesto Pusteria outfielder, who arrived in Melbourne as the reigning two-time champion, with the stated ambition of opening the season with what would have been a historic trio. Instead, barring his way was the’eternal Novak Djokovic, at the end of a five-set battle in which the Blue prevailed in almost all statistical entries except that, which proved decisive, of points won on break balls in his favor.

The disappointment certainly weighs heavily, not least because the trophy ended up in the hands of Carlos Alcaraz, who is increasingly firmly in the number one ranking position, but if there is one constant in Sinner’s career, it is the ability to turn defeats into fuel for the immediate future: the run-up, in this sense, has already started again. With the Australian experience closed, Sinner is working to prepare for the next event, scheduled for mid-February, when the South Tyrolean will be among the protagonists of the ATP 500 in Doha, Qatar.

Francesco Lucivero

This is Jannik’s return to the small Middle Eastern state after last year’s forced stop due to the so-called “Clostebol” case, and it will also be an important opportunity to recover ranking points. From this point of view, the calendar between now and mid-spring plays in the Blue’s favor: in the coming months Sinner has virtually no points to defend, while Alcaraz (who in turn is among the entrants for the Doha tournament) will have to protect heavy results.

After Doha, Sinner will fly to the United States for the Indian Wells Masters 1000, scheduled from March 4, and Miami, with the main draw starting on the 18th of the same month: appointments, these, in which the South Tyrolean can only gain ground over Alcaraz, before launching the assault in the clay-court season.

The Doha ATP 500, then, will be the second chapter in a season in which Jannik Sinner wants to be back where he&#8217s already been for half of 2024 and a good part of 2025, that is, ahead of everyone in the world rankings. The disappointment in Australia certainly needs to be digested, but Jannik is not one for emotional tears: the certainty is that he will arrive in Qatar with a new hunger, like a true number one.