Jannik Sinner returns to the ATP Tour this week at the China Open, marking his first appearance since the US Open.
Sinner lost the US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz earlier this month, falling short of a fifth career Grand Slam title in New York.
He also lost his ATP number one ranking to the Spaniard, who continues his season at this week’s Japan Open in Tokyo.
Alcaraz is the top seed at the ATP 500 tournament, with Sinner occupying the same status at the China Open.
The Italian meets Marin Cilic in his first match in Beijing, where he lost the 2024 final to his closest rival Alcaraz.
Photo by Tian Yuhao/China News Service/VCG via Getty ImagesJannik Sinner honored after adding new member of staff to his coaching team
And Sinner has a new team member by his side for this year’s tournament, having hired Alejandro Resnicoff as his permanent physio.
Speaking of his preparation for Beijing amid the hire, Sinner said: “Look, no specific changes. I mean, on the court we are changing a lot.
“Off the court is more or less the same. He’s a very experienced physio, obviously being on the ATP Tour for 15 years, more or less.
“Also before he had other tennis players, so… he has a lot of experience. He also respects how we are as a team.
“It’s not that he comes in and he’s changing everything. If he sees that we have or could potentially improve something for my body, he’s here to help.
“This is how it works. But it also takes time. I’ve worked with him a little bit in the years when I didn’t have my physio. Not as much.
Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images
“Obviously now having him for me, it’s a huge privilege. He’s super, super experienced. A very honest person, nice and kind person.
“He also has a family at home. He has a nice situation also off work. Yeah, it’s everything going in the right direction.”
What is Jannik Sinner’s potential path to the China Open title?
Sinner is seemingly as calm and composed as ever heading into another tournament, although he will have revenge on his mind.
He fell 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) to Alcaraz last time out, and now has a fantastic opportunity to put that right, particularly with the Spaniard in Tokyo.
But he faces a very tricky challenge first up in his bid for 500 ranking points and of course further silverware.
Cilic may not be at his best at this stage of his career, but he is a former Grand Slam champion, having won the 2014 US Open.
If the Italian manages to get past the Croatian, he’ll take on either Terence Atmane or home favourite Zhang Zhizhen.
Karen Khachanov could then await the former world number one, followed by a potential match against Alex de Minaur or Jakub Mensik.
A final meeting with any of Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, Andrey Rublev or Daniil Medvedev is then possible.