Jannik Sinner Reflects on Game Improvements After Tough Wimbledon Win

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 2, 2026

Jannik Sinner reached the third round of Wimbledon after defeating Nuno Borges in straight sets, though he admitted there is room to improve in key areas like his forehand and movement on grass. With a tougher start to the tournament and rising temperatures in London, managing stamina will be crucial as he prepares to face Jenson Brooksby next.

Jannik Sinner advanced to the third round of Wimbledon after a straight-sets victory over world No. 48 Nuno Borges on Thursday, but the Italian acknowledged that his performance still has room for improvement. He highlighted several aspects of his game that he aims to refine, including his forehand, movement on grass, net play, and return of serve, particularly on second serves.

Sinner’s win came after a challenging start to the tournament, where he had to endure a five-set match against Miomir Kecmanovic. Compared to last year, when Sinner dominated his early rounds with relative ease, this year’s matches have been more taxing. After two matches in 2026, Sinner had lost 39 games and spent over six hours on court, a notable increase from the 17 games lost and just over five hours spent on court during the equivalent stage at Wimbledon last year.

The Italian player expressed some uncertainty about whether a tougher start to the tournament was beneficial, especially since he did not participate in a grass-court warm-up event. With London expected to face temperatures up to 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) over the weekend, managing stamina will be a key concern for Sinner as he progresses.

Borges challenged Sinner at times, particularly in the second set where Borges had a set point at 5-4 but failed to convert. Sinner capitalized on his opponent’s errors and a lucky net cord to take the set. The third set also saw Sinner momentarily lose focus and get broken but he quickly regained control to close out the match. “The second set was important,” Sinner said, noting the momentum shift after winning it. “I broke him very early [in the third set]. It was a lack of concentration again, but I tried to bounce back straight away, which I’ve done.”

Looking ahead, Sinner is scheduled to face unseeded American Jenson Brooksby, who recently upset the No. 32 seed Ignacio Buse. While Brooksby has a solid game, his weaker serve and lack of power on groundstrokes may pose fewer challenges against a player of Sinner’s calibre. Brooksby acknowledged Sinner’s consistency on big stages and expressed confidence in his ability to compete against top opponents.

Despite the hurdles, Sinner remains the favorite to retain his Wimbledon title, particularly in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian noted that matches like his win over Borges help him regain rhythm and prepare for tougher challenges ahead.

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