It took the double blow of illness and the oppressive conditions of a blistering Melbourne summer for Jannik Sinner to look uncomfortable on a hard, acrylic-based tennis court for the first time in well over a year. Throughout the 2024 season, Sinner not only held his opponents in a chokehold on the biggest stages, he had often done so with his typical calm, neutral expression barely changing. As Sinner methodically compiled significant titles throughout the 2024 season, he made his immense efforts appear to be routine.
Three sets into his highly anticipated intragenerational tussle with Holger Rune, though, Sinner was clearly uncomfortable. He limped gingerly between points, his hands shook as he sat down at the change of ends and, most importantly, his unforced errors piled up. Down two break points at 1-1 in set three, Sinner was in trouble.
