Sport

The aura around Jannik Sinner has shifted. No longer the intriguing newcomer, he’s a Grand Slam champion, a former world number one and a figurehead of a new era in men’s tennis. His recent struggles – a semi-final exit at the Australian Open and a subsequent defeat in the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 in Doha – aren’t simply about wins, and losses. They signal a deeper instability, a dip in form that Sinner himself acknowledges.

The concern isn’t merely the defeats themselves, but the manner in which they’ve occurred. Reports suggest Sinner appears heavier on court, less precise, and lacking the explosive energy that defined his dominant performances over the past two seasons. This downturn in form raises a critical question: what’s happening with Jannik Sinner?

Physical Demands and Team Fluctuations

Sinner’s rise coincided with a deliberate focus on physical conditioning, recognizing the need to withstand grueling five-set matches, particularly in his burgeoning rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian demonstrably increased his muscle mass and endurance, transforming from a slender prospect into a physically imposing competitor. However, this transformation hasn’t been without its challenges.

A period of instability within his support team has been evident. Following a positive test for closterbol in Indian Wells in 2014, Sinner parted ways with physical trainer Umberto Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi. Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio later joined the team, but departed before Wimbledon 2025, with Ferrara returning before the US Open. These frequent changes created disruption in his preparation process. At the 2026 Australian Open, Sinner experienced heat cramps in the third round, and appeared fatigued in the semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic – a match he had previously often dominated. That defeat, coming against a long-time rival, undoubtedly had a psychological impact.

Despite acknowledging the challenges, Sinner insisted he felt “fine” after his defeat in Doha, dismissing suggestions of fatigue. However, elite tennis operates on margins, where even a slight decrease in resistance or slower movement can be decisive.

The Pressure of the Alcaraz Rivalry

While Sinner’s form has faltered, Carlos Alcaraz has continued to ascend, underscored by his victory at the Australian Open – a tournament Sinner had won in the previous two years. Losing the world number one ranking to Alcaraz has added another layer of pressure. This rivalry extends beyond rankings; it’s a battle for the future of men’s tennis, with each title won by Alcaraz directly impacting Sinner’s position.

Throughout 2025, Sinner lost to Alcaraz in several high-profile finals, including Rome, Roland Garros, Cincinnati, and the US Open. While he secured a victory at Wimbledon, the losing streak left a mark on his confidence. Responding to this challenge, Sinner has sought to diversify his game, aiming to become “more unpredictable” by improving his net play, serve, and attacking options. However, venturing outside his comfort zone carries inherent risks, and performance fluctuations are to be expected during this experimental phase.

Sinner admitted to adding “some new things,” but acknowledged it hasn’t always been seamless. His defeat against Jakub Mensik in Doha highlighted the ineffectiveness of these adjustments. Changing the fundamental structure of a player’s game requires time and patience, a process that is currently unfolding for Sinner.

The composition of Sinner’s coaching staff is similarly under scrutiny, with rumors linking Carlos Moyá or Juan Carlos Ferrero to his team. Currently, Darren Cahill continues to work with him, Simone Vagnozzi remains as head coach, and agent Alex Vittur plays a strategic role. While some Italian experts believe a change could inject fresh energy, altering the team based on public pressure isn’t necessarily the solution.

Sinner is now in a different position than he was a few years ago. He’s no longer an emerging player aiming to surprise, but a champion tasked with defending his position. Two consecutive losses haven’t fundamentally changed him, but they serve as a reminder that maintaining peak performance is often more demanding than achieving it.

For a player of Sinner’s stature, any crisis isn’t about short-term results, but about his reaction. If he can restore the balance between his physical condition, tactical approach, and mental fortitude, the race with Alcaraz will be a long and compelling one. Otherwise, the gap between them will likely widen.

Elite tennis waits for no one. The question of “What’s wrong with Sinner?” will only be fully answered by his future triumphs, not by reassuring statements following each defeat.

What comes next for Sinner will be closely watched as he attempts to regain his form and challenge for major titles. His ability to adapt, refine his game, and maintain his mental resilience will be crucial in the coming months.

What are your thoughts on Sinner’s recent struggles? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Gianni Infantino is approaching the end of his tenth year as president of FIFA, a period marked by significant financial changes for global football and a growing consolidation of power. Even as facing criticism, particularly in Europe, the Swiss administrator has largely maintained a stronghold on the position, bolstered by strong support from footballing nations benefiting from increased funding. The question now is whether anyone can realistically challenge his leadership as he eyes another term in 2027.

Infantino, who assumed the presidency on February 26, 2016, succeeding Sepp Blatter, has overseen a period of substantial financial redistribution within FIFA. His tenure has focused on increasing revenue and directing it towards member associations, particularly those in Asia and Africa, regions that now represent a significant voting bloc within the organization. This focus on financial support has proven to be a key element in securing his continued leadership.

One of Infantino’s central promises was increased transparency and financial support for national associations. He delivered on an initial pledge of an extra $5 million (£3.7 million) for each national association over the first four years, alongside $40 million (£29.7 million) for each confederation. According to FIFA data, across the first two cycles of the FIFA Forward project, spanning through 2022, a total of $2.8 billion (£2.08 billion) was allocated to investment across its 211 member associations, supporting over 1,600 projects. Gianni Infantino’s leadership has continued this trend, with FIFA Forward 3.0, covering 2023-2026, representing a 30% increase in funding.

This commitment to financial support has continued with a further $5 million (£3.7 million) allocated to each member association and an additional $60 million (£44.48 million) for each confederation to pursue their own projects. This financial bolstering has been particularly impactful in regions where football infrastructure and development have historically been underfunded.

Expanding the FIFA Landscape

Infantino’s presidency hasn’t been without controversy. He has faced criticism for expanding both the FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup, as well as for increases in ticket prices. However, he frames these changes as necessary steps to increase investment in the global game. The expansion of these tournaments, while debated, aligns with his broader strategy of generating more revenue to distribute to member associations.

In 2022, the FIFA governance, audit and compliance committee ruled that Infantino’s initial term, lasting three years, would not count towards the statutory limit of three terms, allowing him to potentially remain in office until 2031. This decision, while raising questions about term limits, solidified his position and opened the door for a continued run as president. Infantino was re-elected unopposed in both 2019 and 2023, further demonstrating his current dominance within the organization.

The political landscape within FIFA strongly favors Infantino’s continued leadership. Almost half of the votes in the 2011 election are held by Asia and Africa – two regions that have demonstrably benefited from the increased financial resources under his tenure. This support base makes a serious challenge to his authority in the 2027 election appear increasingly unlikely.

Looking Ahead

As Infantino approaches another election year, the question isn’t necessarily about finding a viable opponent, but rather about the long-term implications of his continued leadership. His focus on financial redistribution has undoubtedly strengthened FIFA’s relationships with many member associations, but concerns remain regarding transparency, the expansion of tournaments, and the potential for further consolidation of power. The next few years will be crucial in determining whether his policies will ultimately lead to a more equitable and sustainable future for global football.

What are your thoughts on Gianni Infantino’s decade as FIFA president? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the discussion.