When Jannik Sinner fell to Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling Roland-Garros showdown that left fans at the edge of their seats, most assumed the young Italian would quietly slip away to regroup for the grass season. But according to one tennis legend, Sinner’s reaction behind the scenes spoke volumes about his character — and why he’s still seen as the man most likely to challenge Alcaraz’s rise in the years to come.
In an interview that’s now making waves in tennis circles, former World No. 1 and Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander shared an inside glimpse of what happened in the locker room and training areas after Sinner’s defeat in Paris. Wilander, who has been working closely as a Eurosport analyst and stays in touch with the players’ camps, revealed that instead of lamenting the loss, Sinner immediately returned to the practice courts — hitting balls for nearly an hour after the grueling match.
“He didn’t disappear. He didn’t sulk. He picked up his bag and asked his coach to feed him more balls,” Wilander said. “He worked on his serve and return for almost 45 minutes. It shows the mentality this kid has. He’s not here to be second best.”
Sinner’s semifinal clash with Alcaraz was one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament — a battle between two of tennis’ brightest young stars. For large stretches, the match swung wildly, with Sinner taking the opening set and pushing Alcaraz deep into rallies before the Spaniard’s relentless intensity turned the tide. The loss stung — especially since Sinner had chances to close it out — but what he did next showed a glimpse of why so many pundits believe his first Roland-Garros title is a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if’.
“He knows he has the game. He knows it’s small details that make the difference,” Wilander explained. “What impressed me is that instead of going back to the hotel to recover, he was still asking questions: ‘What could I have done better? Can we fix it now?’ That’s the mark of a future champion.”
Fans who spotted Sinner practicing after midnight posted photos on social media, praising his commitment and humility. Many recalled similar stories from legends like Rafael Nadal, who famously spent extra hours on court after tough losses early in his career. For Sinner, who has made no secret of his desire to be World No. 1, this behind-the-scenes glimpse is just another reminder of the work ethic driving his rise.
With Wimbledon on the horizon, Sinner’s decision to keep grinding rather than dwell on the defeat could prove decisive. “Grass is a surface where he’s getting better every year,” Wilander added. “If he brings this mindset there, watch out.”
As Alcaraz continues to shine as the sport’s new golden boy, Jannik Sinner’s quiet determination behind closed doors might just be the reason their rivalry becomes the next epic saga in men’s tennis. One thing is certain: Paris may not have ended the way Sinner wanted this time, but he’s already putting in the work to ensure the next time wil
l be different.
