Jannik Sinner is set to make his return to tennis after a short break, well-earned following an impressive French Open campaign.
The world number one stormed to the final with little resistance, failing to drop a single set as he impressively dispatched stars like Novak Djokovic, Jiri Lehecka and an inspired Alexander Bublik.
However, he was once again faced with his generational rival in the final, with Carlos Alcaraz desperate to defend his crown.
That desperation proved pivotal, as he dragged himself back from two sets to love down to win one of the most improbable, enthralling finals in tennis history.
Jannik Sinner, however, was left shattered.
Jannik Sinner plays for the first time since French Open final loss
Speaking ahead of his return to Halle, an event which he won last year, the Italian was open in his assessment of his latest practice session.
After all, he revealed, it was his first time playing tennis since that loss to Alcaraz.
Sinner admitted: ‘The first practice session was ok. I hadn’t played since Paris, so my general feeling on the court were not so perfect, but I think today it will go better.
‘I think a good grass-court player can move well. The ball can bounce a bit funny because of the grass, and you have to serve intelligently.
‘But in general, it is a surface on which I took a step forward last year and we will see how it goes this year.’
Sinner broke his silence after the Roland Garros final, with a short message on social media. Since then, he has been relaxing in Italy.
Jannik Sinner opens up about Roland Garros defeat to Carlos Alcaraz
The 23-year-old did talk about the final, again in a rather transparent fashion, admitting that he has endured a few sleepless nights about those three Championship points squandered.
It seems he has taken little solace in merely being a part of one of the greatest Grand Slam finals of all time, unsurprisingly crushed by the manner of his collapse.
Speaking about his mental state following the match, Sinner’s response to whether he had ‘mourned’ the nature of his defeat was blunt: ‘Often’.
He continued: ‘It happens. I don’t know how it will look in the future. I think that it is not the most important thing, but I nevertheless try to forget the negative things and see what I can do here [in Halle].
‘I think that for me to play another tournament is positive, because every match is a new beginning, and I must be mentally ready to give my all on the court. Therefore, it is great I can be here in Halle. But yes, I had already a few sleepless nights, but I think every day it gets better.
‘My family stand behind me, and my friends. That is the most important thing for me. Tennis is important in my life but nevertheless are family and friends more important. Nonetheless, I think often about the match.’
