In Turin, under the weight of home expectations, Jannik Sinner delivered yet another flawless performance. But while his racket did the talking on court, his words afterward spoke louder—words of respect for Felix Auger-Aliassime, his latest opponent and one-time rival on the junior circuit.

Despite an impressive start in this match, Felix Auger-Aliassime appeared to pull his left calf late in the first set while landing from a serve at 5-6. Although he kept playing after that, the injury clearly hampered his movement on the court. As a result of this, FAA had to lose the match to the world number 2 by 5-7, 1-6. This was his second loss against Sinner in their six encounters.

After the match, when Jannik Sinner was asked to share his thoughts about the match and his opponent, he said, “It was a very tough match until the 6-5. I had some chances to break. He served very, very well. Only once I missed the return. But it can happen. He played some very aggressive tennis. I’m happy I could overcome a tough test today. Obviously, winning the first match is very important in this format. So I’m very happy. Let’s see what’s coming. I hope it’s nothing too serious for Felix. I wish him a very, very speedy recovery. We all hope he’s getting back to 100% physically.”

With this win, Sinner has now extended his indoor hard court win streak to 27. Excluding Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner has won his past 25 matches against ATP Top 10 opponents, with his last defeat coming against Andrey Rublev at the 2024 Canadian Open. This win against FAA has now taken his win percentage to 84.6% (11-2) at the ATP Finals, and guess what? That’s the highest of any currently active player since the event’s inauguration (min 10 matches). 

Jannik Sinner is living a dream. Returning to Turin as the defending champion, the Italian has been riding a wave of form that few can match. Every time he steps on court, there’s an undeniable sense of belonging—a connection with his home fans that adds an extra spark to his already electric game.

This was Sinner’s sixth consecutive win in Turin, and he has now won twelve consecutive sets at this venue. Following this incredible win, he was asked to share his thoughts on how tough it was mentally to seal the deal in this epic battle. 

In reply to that, the Italian said, “You still have to be very consistent. With great balance on the court... Especially also mentally. It is a bit different, but at the same time, it’s also an advantage. You have to use it in the right way… Even if you don’t want to win like this. But if there’s a chance, you have to use it. It also changes when you’re set up and you see him struggle. It’s different. He’s a huge server… Especially indoors. You have to be very careful. But as I said, it’s not nice.”

Turin continues to bring out his best, and as long as he’s here, Italy will keep believing in its favorite son. What did Jannik Sinner say about his experience playing in front of such a wonderful home crowd in Turin?

Jannik Sinner speaks about his experience of returning to Turin as a defending champion

There’s something about Turin that brings out the very best in Jannik Sinner. As the lights dimmed inside the Inalpi Arena and the Italian crowd rose to its feet, a familiar chant echoed through the arena—’Sinner, Sinner!’ Once again, Turin had its hero. The defending champion at the ATP Finals showed exactly why this city has become his fortress, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets to extend his remarkable indoor winning streak.

Speaking about his return to Turin and securing a victory in the very first match, Jannik Sinner said, “This country gives me a lot honestly… representing Italy has always been a huge, huge honor. It’s nice to give something back also. When we have a chance to play in Italy… in Rome… here… It is great. I’m extremely happy to be here.” 

For Sinner, the ATP Finals in Turin aren’t just another tournament—they’re a homecoming. Every point he wins is met with a roar, every fist pump a shared moment between player and nation. The bond between the young Italian and his fans has only deepened since the breakout run here last year.

In the same post-match interview with Tennis Channel, he added, “I’m happy that I showed some good tennis. If I can, that’s my main priority. That’s why I’m here. At the end of the day, I’m a tennis player, and I want to do the best possible job. At the same time, I also enjoy it. It’s a great, great place to play in front of a massive home crowd. Seeing the stadiums packed… it’s amazing.”

This was Jannik Sinner’s 11th consecutive win, and with this win, he has now taken his win rate to 90% in 2025. It officially also puts him a fraction above his fierce rival, Carlos Alcaraz (89.5%). 

Turin continues to bring out his best, and as long as he’s here, Italy will keep believing in its favorite son. Do you think Jannik Sinner can defend his title in Turin this year?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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