Jannik Sinner is not off to the start he would have hoped for in 2026.
The Italian, who lost just six matches last season, has already been handed two defeats in his first couple of tournament appearances.
Sinner’s Australian Open title defence came to an end in the semifinals, when he was knocked out by Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set bout.
Is it time to start worrying about Jannik Sinner yet?
He has not looked himself in 2026…
Then, the four-time major champion suffered a quarterfinal exit at the Qatar Open to Jakub Mensik, with the Czech star coming out on top in three sets.
Despite Sinner not displaying the dominance fans have become used to seeing so far this year, Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, is not worried about him at all.
Rick Macci discusses Jannik Sinner’s poor start to the season
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Macci said: “Sinner is just fine. He lost to the Joker and Mensik.
“This is tennis. Nobody goes undefeated. When he wins a next event or a Slam, everybody will flip the script that he is back.
“He never left. Double-digit majors baking in the Italian oven with extra parmesan.”
With Carlos Alcaraz’s Australian Open triumph, the Spaniard took a 7-4 lead over Sinner in the race for Grand Slam titles.
Sinner’s last major crown was secured at the All England Club last year, where he overcame Alcaraz to claim a maiden Wimbledon trophy.
Jannik Sinner’s next appearance on the ATP Tour
Sinner did not choose to feature at the Dubai Tennis Championships, the Mexican Open, or the Chile Open following his Qatar Open exit.
His next appearance on the ATP Tour will come at the Indian Wells Open, the first Masters 1000 tournament of the season.
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The 24-year-old did not play at Indian Wells last year due to his three-month suspension from tennis.
This means there will be plenty of points up for grabs for Sinner at the competition, which was won by Jack Draper in 2025.
Sinner currently has an ATP points tally of 10,400 in second place, trailing Alcaraz, who has 13,550.
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