Almost exactly 12 months ago Jannik Sinner began his US Open campaign under the murky cloud of failed drug tests, a punishment so farcically soft it could barely be considered one at all, and subsequent condemnation from several of his fellow pros.
He dropped the opening set that day in New York City against America’s Mackenzie McDonald, before rallying back to win both that match and the tournament itself while only losing one more set along the way.
This afternoon, with the clostebol cloud drifting further into the distance with every Grand Slam that passes, the reigning champion got his title defense up and running in much smoother fashion by dismantling Czechia’s Vit Kopriva in straight sets (6-1, 6-1, 6-2) at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
On the eve of his first-round match Sinner claimed he is not yet back to full fitness after battling illness at last week’s Cincinnati Open, where he retired just 23 minutes into an anti-climatic final against great rival Carlos Alcaraz.
Though if this was the world No 1 operating even at 90 percent, it speaks volumes about the breathtaking quality he possesses.
For many he will never be able to fully shake off the positive tests for clostebol, a steroid which increases muscle mass and aids muscle recovery amongst other physical benefits, and the non-penalty of a three-month ban which fell between the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year.
Nevertheless, it is difficult not to marvel at his technical brilliance on the court, which he showcased from the very first point here against a gutsy yet overmatched Kopriva, the 89th ranked player in the world.
The crowd slowly began to fill up a sun-kissed Arthur Ashe Stadium towards the end of the first set on Tuesday afternoon, by which point Sinner had already stormed into a commanding 4-0 lead as expected.
By no means would they have taken their seats in anticipation at what could play out on the court. That was as near to a foregone conclusion as you will find in this sport.
Instead, they made their way into Flushing Meadows’ tennis coliseum to witness a master at work, and he did not disappoint.
The crisp backhand of Sinner was a joy to behold at times, leaving his outgunned foe flat-footed on a number of occasions. If there was any critique to be had, he will hope to find more consistency with his first serve as the competition goes on, with a 59 percent success rate falling below the lofty standards he has set for himself.
Kopriva impressed on fleeting occasions, including when he produced a sublime drop shot on his way to saving four set points at the end of the opening stanza.
However, that was about as good as it got for the 28-year-old as Sinner barely shifted out of second gear while cruising to a routine victory.
The Italian knows there will be significantly harder tests to come even in the earlier stages of this tournament. Complacency is a word that will be foreign to him as a four-time Grand Slam champion and pro of seven years.
But with the suspicion of the tennis world no longer weighing down on him so heavily, it would take a brave man to bet against Sinner overcoming every challenge that comes his way and retaining his crown over the next 12 days in New York City.
When asked post-match what he has learnt about managing himself through Grand Slams over the years, he told reporters: ‘I feel like experience and then experiencing, you know, the good and the bad. It helps always. I had moments where I can say in my age that [were] good and bad, which is good. So I do understand certain moments.
‘Back in the day, I used to practice in the days off [for] two hours on the court. Now I understand that if you feel the ball and everything, it’s better to rest, to have as much energy as possible then for the next day for the match so you’re not drained.
‘And all these kind of things, you know, where you meet the physio in hotel or here, how much time you want to spend here on-site or if you want to leave as soon as possible. I did learn that I just come to work and then get out of here, because it can be very long at times.
‘So, you know, managing everything together, and I think I’m learning. I’m not perfect, but I’m learning.’
