Jannik Sinner outlines his main target for 2026 after Qatar defeat

Tennis fans were expecting the first ‘Sincaraz’ final of the season at the Qatar Open, but it didn’t come together.

Jannik Sinner was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Jakub Mensik, marking his second defeat of 2025.

The Italian lost to the sixth seed in a third-set decider, falling 7-6, 2-6, 6-3, just after Carlos Alcaraz had advanced past Karen Khachanov.

Sinner had been chasing a rare three-peat at Melbourne Park before Novak Djokovic ended that run in the semifinals.

The next milestone he’s targeting is also significant: Jannik Sinner could become only the third male player to reach back-to-back finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon since 2000.

Jannik Sinner looks ahead to the upcoming tournaments

“One of my biggest goals will be Roland Garros, but that goal is still far away.

“We’ve seen that all players have struggled throughout their careers, but I wouldn’t call this ‘fatigue’ yet (smiles).

“I’ve only lost a couple of matches. I also have to remember what I’ve done in the last three years, where I’ve won a lot of matches and lost very few.

“The confidence to play good tennis is there, it’s there. Indian Wells is usually a tournament where I struggle a bit, we’ll see what happens there, while in Miami I’ve always played well.

“Then the clay season will start. I’m trying to add a couple of new things, today they didn’t work as well as I would have liked, but not every day is the same.”

Jannik Sinner one Grand Slam away from completing career Slam

If Sinner manages to win the French Open this season, he’ll have completed the career Grand Slam just a few months after Alcaraz achieved the same feat.

Alcaraz, aged 22, became the youngest man to win all four majors following his victory at Melbourne Park earlier this year.

Sinner would reach that milestone at age 24, matching Rafael Nadal’s age when he accomplished it.

Just last year, Sinner came within reach of a Roland Garros title, holding three match points in a final against Alcaraz that’s already been etched into tennis history.

Their 2025 final lasted five hours and 29 minutes and is widely regarded as one of the sport’s all-time classics.

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