Former pros explain why Sinner’s early Indian Wells prep matters

Jannik Sinner is aiming to get his season back on track with a strong showing at Indian Wells after what has been a disappointing start to the 2026 campaign.

Sinner’s loss to Jakub Mensik in the Rotterdam Open was his second defeat in as many tournaments, following an earlier exit against Nicolas Jarry at the Australian Open. It’s a far cry from what fans have come to expect from someone who once seemed so untouchable.

Despite this, former pro CoCo Vandeweghe believes it’s too early to start worrying about Sinner’s form.

“You can’t be that good of a player and just forget how to play tennis,” she said on Tennis Channel Live. “But it doesn’t mean you still don’t have your ups and downs throughout your career.”

CoCo Vandeweghe appreciates what Jannik Sinner has done before Indian Wells

During a segment on Tennis Channel Live, Eubanks was asked about how concerned he was about Sinner’s form, and he played down any worries.

“Very minimal,” Eubanks replied. “I don’t take too much to his loss to Mensik.

“Mensik is a very dangerous player. He’s a player that can upset anybody in the right conditions. He’s a Masters 1000 champion in his own right, one of the biggest servers on tour. I didn’t take too much about this loss.

“Right after the Australian Open, he lost a tough one to Djokovic. I’m sure there’s a bit of a letdown that happens after that. He went to Doha, put forth a good effort, just wasn’t able to come out on top, looked for a sharper and more focused Jannik Sinner for this Sunshine Double.”

Vandeweghe also weighed in, noting what she liked about Sinner’s approach heading into the BNP Paribas Open: “Well, what I love that he has done after that event, he immediately called up Darren and said, ‘ We’re going to come to Indian Wells early.’

“He’s already been here for a week and that’s so important when it comes to the conditions that all these players are going to be talking about.”

“From hot days where it is just absolutely ruthless and the ball is jumping all over the place.” she continued.

“And then into the cold evenings where it is really hard move out here.”

Jannik Sinner’s path to the Indian Wells final

Sinner will have a good chance to get back on track in California, with a draw that looks favourable for a deep run at Indian Wells.

As the second seed, he’ll skip the opening round.

He’s expected to meet James Duckworth in his first match, followed by either Tomás Martín Etcheverry or Denis Shapovalov in the third round.

In the fourth round, Karen Khachanov and Tommy Paul look like the most likely opponents.

If Jakub Mensik can get past Ben Shelton, Sinner could have a shot at avenging his recent loss when they meet in the quarter-finals.

Lorenzo Musetti or Alexander Zverev are strong candidates for semi-final opposition before Sinner would potentially face Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic in the final.

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