Jannik Sinner: "For me, doesn't really matter what people say; either people like me or they don't like me, I cannot control everyone"

Jannik Sinner has shared an insight into his mindset regarding the pressure of expectations following his fourth-round win at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters.

Sinner is looking for his maiden title at the ATP Masters 1000 event after reaching the semifinals last year. The Italian made a strong start to his campaign with a dominant 6-3, 6-0 win over Thanasi Kokkinakis before a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Jan-Lennard Struff.

The World No. 3 extended his winning streak to 18 matches after beating Ben Shelton 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals. He next squares off against Jiri Lehecka for a place in the semifinals.

Following his win over Shelton, Jannik Sinner disclosed that winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January didn't alleviate any pressure on him, as he now has a target on his back.

"No, less pressure, no, because other players, they know you, everyone wants to beat, you know, the players who has won Grand Slams or whatever.

"But I don't think it's a thing of pressure or not pressure. It's more about the relief what you said," Jannik Sinner said in his post-match press conference.

The Italian also acknowledged that the discourse about his performance is inevitable but emphasized that he doesn't let other people's opinions affect him, as he cannot control their perceptions.

"Like, it's, for sure, there will always be people who talk, no? This is normal. You have to be smart as a player to give it the right importance when they talk about you," Sinner said.

"I've always been one player who, for me, doesn't really matter what people say, you know. Either people like me or they don't like me. I cannot control everyone. That what I can control are the people who are around me, and for me they are much more important than all the rest," he added.

---

Jannik Sinner: "Jiri Lehecka is playing incredibly well; I have to be very focused from the first point"

Jannik Sinner

During the press conference, Sinner looked ahead to his quarterfinal clash against Jiri Lehecka, sharing that he's expecting a challenging match, as Lehecka is in incredible form.

"I'm looking forward for these kind of challenges. The next match is also a challenge. I don't know my opponent. So we played, like, five years ago somewhere. I don't even remember, so because they told me, I know. And then we see what's happening, no?" Jannik Sinner said.

"He's playing incredibly well. I have to be very focused from the first point, and hopefully I can show some good tennis," he added.

The winner of Sinner-Lehecka will meet either Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev for a place in the final.