Jannik Sinner delivered another commanding performance at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets to reach the Indian Wells final without dropping a set throughout the tournament. Yet despite his dominant run in the California desert, the Italian star brought some humor to his on-court interview after the match.
Reflecting on earlier rounds where he faced two rising teenagers, Brazil’s João Fonseca and American Learner Tien, Sinner joked that competing against such young opponents already made him “feel old.”
Inside Jannik Sinner’s Commanding March to the BNP Paribas Open Final
After receiving a first-round bye, the World No. 2 began his campaign with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Dalibor Svrčina and followed it up with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Denis Shapovalov. His toughest test came in the Round of 16 against Brazilian teenager Fonseca, where Sinner had to navigate two tense tiebreaks to secure a 7-6(6), 7-6(4) victory. He quickly regained his dominant form in the quarterfinals, blitzing past 25th seed Tien 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour.
In the semifinals, Sinner faced fourth seed Zverev and delivered one of his most complete performances of the tournament. He controlled the match from the outset, breaking Zverev twice in the opening set to take it 6-2.
Although Zverev showed more resistance in the second set and created a break point in the sixth game, Sinner saved it with an ace and immediately broke the German in the following game. He closed out the match 6-2, 6-4 in 83 minutes, securing his sixth consecutive victory over Zverev.
Why Did Sinner Say Facing João Fonseca and Learner Tien Made Him Feel Old?
During the on-court interview, the conversation briefly shifted to Sinner’s physical condition when the interviewer noted that he had been stretching his back during the match and asked about it. Sinner clarified that the issue was minor and likely related to the heat rather than any serious concern.
“Yeah, no physical part talking about the heat. It was good. I didn’t feel a lot of issues today, even though it was not as physical as I thought it would be,” he said. He added that the match’s style also influenced how it felt physically. “But you know, when both serve very well, it’s tough to get into the rhythm, so very short points.”
🦊: “This morning I felt on one serve (something) that bothered me on the lower back. Look, we kind of solved it. It’s good that I have time to rest until tomorrow.”
🎙️: “It happens when you get old”
🦊: “Playing against Joao and then against Learner, I feel old already.” pic.twitter.com/t0Ag07dhnz
— jannik sinner files (@jannik_files) March 14, 2026
Sinner also revealed that he had briefly felt discomfort earlier in the day but that it had already been addressed. “This morning I felt on one serve something that bothered me a bit in the lower back, but we kind of solved it. Of course now it’s good that I have some time to rest until tomorrow and…”
At that moment, the interviewer jokingly remarked, “It happens when you get old.” Sinner responded with a laugh and pointed to his recent opponents as the reason for the feeling. “I feel what I said, you know, playing against João and then against Learner, I feel old already.”
Looking ahead, Sinner is set to face 11th seed Daniil Medvedev in the final. The clash will mark their 16th meeting on the ATP Tour, with the Italian currently holding a narrow 8-7 advantage in their head-to-head record.
