Cramping Jannik Sinner says pain is all part of the Grand Slam struggle

MELBOURNE – Jannik Sinner played down any injury fears on Jan 24 after suffering from cramp in his Australian Open semi-final win, saying physical struggles were all part of getting through two-week-long Grand Slams.

The world No. 1 blasted past Ben Shelton, admitting he was relieved to come through in straight sets.

The Italian defends his title on Jan 26 against world No. 2 Alexander Zverev after he played only one set against Novak Djokovic, before the Serbian great retired with his own injury issues.

Sinner suffered from leg cramp in the third set of his 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, 6-2 win against the American 21st seed and had to have the trainer on to massage his thighs near the end.

“I had some tension today, slightly cramps,” said Sinner, who had dizzy spells during his match in the fourth round.

“You know, these matches can go very, very long. For three sets, two and a half hours is quite a time.

“So I’m happy to finish today in three.”

He said physical suffering was to be expected because it was his first tournament of the season.

“Without playing any tournaments before, you never know what’s happening,” he said. “Then you try to raise your level day by day.

“All of us who go deep in tournaments have some days where they struggle a little bit more. If it’s physical, if it’s mentally, it’s a lot going on. Now it’s only one match left. Let’s see what’s coming.”

The 23-year-old’s victory made him the youngest man to be in multiple finals at the tournament since Jim Courier in 1992 and 1993 and kept alive his dream of becoming the first Italian to lift three Grand Slam singles trophies.

“I’m happy to be back in the final again,” said Sinner. “Sundays are special days in tournaments and I’m hoping I can enjoy it.”

Zverev has a 4-2 edge in their head-to-head meetings. The German won both of their hard-court Major clashes – round-of-16 matches at the 2021 and 2023 US Opens.

“We’ve had some tough matches in the past,” said Sinner. “So anything can happen. He’s an incredible player looking for a first Major.”

Meanwhile, Shelton said uncharacteristic errors at crucial moments proved costly, after he squandered the chance to go a set up.

The American unleashed his big hitting and was serving at 6-5 in the opening set but was broken by Sinner.

Shelton bounced his racket off the court after going behind 4-0 in the ensuing tiebreak as his accuracy cruelly deserted him and Sinner gleefully accepted the first set when his frustrated opponent sent a forehand wide.

Shelton, who failed to capitalise when Sinner was dealing with cramp in the third set, said playing the top seed was always a tough ask but he wanted more from his big weapon.

“I’ve made my living on tour so far serving out sets and being able to serve out sets,” he told reporters, adding it was uncharacteristic of him not to put away at least one of his two set points.

“You’re playing the No. 1 player in the world, the windows are always small. Sometimes you miss your window and the guy steps up his level, starts making a lot more first serves, plays better. The break chances don’t come as often.

“I thought I did some things well out there. I’ll have to look at the statistics after the match. Probably one of my worst serving days in this tournament so far, which is disappointing, now being six matches into the tournament.”

Earlier, Australians Olivia Gadecki and John Peers battled back from a set down to defeat compatriots Kimberly Birrell and John-Patrick Smith 3-6, 6-4, 10-6 in the mixed doubles final.

Birrell and Smith raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set on Rod Laver Arena and while they were pegged back to 5-2, they closed out it out in 34 minutes.

Gadecki and Peers stepped up a gear to level the contest in a tight second set, before going on to win the tiebreak and become the fourth Australian duo in the Open era to win the mixed doubles title at the tournament. AFP, REUTERS