Italy’s Davis Cup captain has pinpointed a combination of mental and physical fatigue as the main reasons behind Jannik Sinner’s underwhelming performance in the recent US Open final against Carlos Alcaraz. According to the captain, the pressure of carrying national expectations, compounded by Sinner’s intense schedule leading up to the tournament, significantly affected his focus and stamina on the court. This, coupled with Alcaraz’s relentless shot-making and tactical prowess, left Sinner struggling to maintain his usual aggressive style.

The captain also suggested that Sinner’s preparation was impacted by less-than-ideal recovery phases after grueling matches in the prior rounds. He noted several key aspects:

  • Physical exhaustion: Accumulated fatigue from back-to-back three-set battles
  • Mental pressure: Heightened expectations as Italy’s leading tennis hope
  • In-game…