For a player who had made deep runs feel routine, the night in Melbourne hit differently. Jannik Sinner suffered one of the most painful defeats of his career after falling to Novak Djokovic in a gripping five-set semifinal at the Australian Open. It was also the first time the world No. 2 in the ATP Tour rankings had failed to reach a major final since the Wimbledon Championships 2024 - a statistic that underlined just how consistent the Italian had been at the sport’s biggest stage.

After holding a two-sets-to-one lead, Sinner could not close the contest, and the disappointment was evident immediately after the match. “A lot,” Sinner admitted when asked how much the defeat hurt. “It was a very important Slam for me… I had many chances. Couldn't use them, and that's the outcome. It hurts, for sure.” Now, as he prepares for his return at the Qatar Open, the Italian says the defeat has already begun to reshape his approach. Speaking to Sky Sports Italy, Sinner finally reflected in detail on the loss and revealed that adjustments are already underway.

“The defeat against Djokovic has taught me many things. It was a great match, both for me and for him. I had my chances, and sometimes things don't go as expected, but that's sports. We are now making small adjustments on the court, and these take time to become natural, but I have received positive feedback. We must not forget that losing sometimes is normal too.”

Jannik Sinner stated that all he now wants is to play good tennis anywhere in the world, and according to him, “sometimes, it’s okay to lose.” He admitted that all the heroics he and his fierce rival, Carlos Alcaraz, have done over the last couple of years have attracted a lot of attention. His aim is now to get back to the rhythm and bring out more favorable outcomes from the Middle East swing.

Rather than dwell on regret, the 24-year-old appears focused on evolution - tweaking patterns, improving decision-making in big moments, and ensuring the experience becomes a stepping stone rather than a scar.

The Melbourne defeat carried added weight. Jannik Sinner had been chasing a rare milestone - a third consecutive Australian Open crown in the Open Era. Former tennis pro and analyst Ivan Ljubicic described the result as a major shock to the Italian’s system. “For Jannik, it was a tough blow to lose in the best-of-five match to Novak. He did not expect to lose, and he will have to analyze the match afterward.”

What changes had Sinner made exactly after that defeat, though? Let’s find out what he had to say about this…

Jannik Sinner talks about the changes he has made ahead of his Qatar Open campaign

After the sting of Melbourne, Jannik Sinner is ready to move forward. The world No. 2 returns to competition at the Qatar Open, determined to reset following his semifinal defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.

With no ranking points to defend until the clay swing in Rome, he has a realistic path to close the gap on Carlos Alcaraz and rediscover his most dominant version. Djokovic will not be in the draw this week, but Sinner’s start in Doha is far from simple. He opens against Tomas Machac - a familiar opponent he has beaten twice before on the ATP Tour, including at the Miami Open and Shanghai Masters in 2024.

If he progresses, Sinner could face Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals, while potential semifinal rivals include Alexander Bublik, Arthur Fils, or Jiri Lehecka - a lineup that promises little margin for error.

Interestingly, this marks Sinner’s return to the tournament after missing last year’s edition due to a three-month suspension, making his comeback in Doha even more symbolic.

Rather than overhaul everything, Sinner has taken a measured approach - refining different areas of his game instead of reacting emotionally to a single defeat. “It's not just technical; it's also tactical and mental. There are many things I can improve, but we shouldn't dwell on the problems just because of losing a Grand Slam semifinal against Novak Djokovic. It was a very good match, though not easy to accept.”

The message is clear: evolution, not panic. The Italian believes the loss exposed details rather than flaws - moments of decision-making, positioning, and emotional control that matter most against the sport’s elite.

Playing in the Middle East often brings questions about endurance, but Sinner is relaxed about the climate. “It's hot. But nothing out of the ordinary, not like in Australia or other drier places. At night, it can be hot, but it can also cool down. It depends on the day-to-day and the wind; for now, everything is fine.”

With lessons learned, expectations reset, and a favorable ranking scenario ahead, Jannik Sinner’s Doha campaign feels less like a recovery mission - and more like the start of a new phase in his season. How far do you think the Italian can go at the 2026 Qatar Open?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. 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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