Carlos Alcaraz is not alone: Jannik Sinner’s games are focused on Doha… | ATP Tour
Game preview
Alcaraz is not alone: Zone games are in focus ahead of Doha…
Italy faces Tomas Machac in the first round
February 16, 2026
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Jannik Sinner is competing for the first time since losing to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
Written by Sam Jacot
Much has been made of the work Carlos Alcaraz has done in his career. But the Spaniard is not the only one focusing on the important strike. Jannik Sinner revealed on Sunday ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open that he is stressing his performance ahead of his first ATP 500 event of the season.
“To be honest at the moment [we are working] in general matters. Trying to get a strong help at the moment, which is what we are working on, “said Sinner when he spoke to the media before the tournament in Doha. “And especially in the gym, the exercise sessions are very important. I’m trying to take another step forward in that situation and that’s it.”
Moni is the second seed this week in Doha, where he leads the field alongside PIF ATP Rankings No. 1 Alcaraz. The Italian is competing for the first time since losing in the semifinals to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open last month, when he made 75 percent of his forehands and won 80 percent of those points, according to Infosys Stats.
Although the loss was disappointing, the Italian was keen to emphasize that the work done over the past two days has been building on the foundations laid during the team’s pre-season training in Dubai.
“The season has started. Most of the work we did was in the offseason,” said Sinner. “Now we try to continue working, but also to maintain a level of fitness. I think everything is going well. Of course you need to play some games, you try to get the best answer.”
That feedback loop, practice preaching the performance of the game, will guide his week in Doha as results.
“In my opinion, it depends on how the training sessions go. If you feel good there, you want to generate the same intensity in the game,” said Sinner. “If certain things don’t work well in practice, you try to be a little bit better than in practice. So it depends, but at the same time I’m here trying to go as far as possible. At the same time, I’m trying to improve and see what works well here.”
Sinner is making his debut at the ATP 500 event in Doha, where he will open against Czech Tomas Machac. World No. 2, leading Machac 2-0 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series, has been happy all week, enjoying success in the city in the past.
“Some years ago I won the junior championship, so it’s a very well-known place,” said Sinner. “Obviously it’s a different level now playing the 500 event here. But I’m very happy and let’s see what’s coming.”
The sinner follows the World No. 1 Alcaraz with 2,750 points in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. However, the Italian has no points to defend between now and Roma in May.
