Jannik Sinner: Wimbledon left me with the 'most regrets' of 2024

The Italian's year was marred by a failed drug test back in March, with the fall-out from that incident set to rumble into 2025 after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed against the decision not to ban Sinner after a banned substance was found in his system.

Now Sinner has opened up on his year and when asked by Corriere della Sera to outline his regret of the last 12 months, he quickly reflected on his defeat against Daniil Medvedev in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

"If I look back, Wimbledon is the tournament where I left the most regrets," he said.

"I had played very well until the match with Medvedev⦠It went like this, our sport is unpredictable. For next year we'll see: no one knows the future."

Sinner was ill on the day of that match and later confessed the pressure he was feeling as he battled to clear is name following the failed drug test was on his mind that day on Wimbledon's Centre Court.

"It had an impact because I was often ill, I didn't feel much energy on the court, I think we saw this at Wimbledon for example," he said, reflecting on the stress created by the failed drug test.

"I went through sleepless nights thinking about it and had some physical problems perhaps related to this. There were very difficult moments on the court, I didn't feel like myself, I wasn't happy.

"The process was very long and with time you feel a greater weight, the great wait for the end, the arrival of the results, it wasn't an easy period."

Sinner's interview Corriere della Sera took place as he attended the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as he admitted the tragic skiing accident that left F1 legend Michael Schumacher with permanent brain injuries had a big impact on his young life.

As Sinner was a big fan of skiing in his youth, he admitted the Schumacher accident left a mark on him.

"I always followed F1 as a child but I had never been to a race live. My first memory is linked to Schumacher," he stated.

"When he had the skiing accident it was a blow for me.

"That episode made me understand that life can change in a second. Never take anything for granted, you have to live day by day, enjoy it with a goal."

He also revealed details of his conversations with current F1 world champion Max Verstappen, as he suggested the 27-year-old shares his thoughts on the important of maintaining close family links amid a sporting career.

"I spoke with Max a little while ago, we were commenting on some of his words," he stated.

"He said that he doesn't chase other drivers' records, because he also loves being with his family. We are athletes, but we are also people: friends and family are the most important things. I try to do the best I can in tennis, starting tomorrow I will resume training in Dubai, but I think like him.

"We did some tests to understand what kind of preparation to do, what strategies to use.

"The goal is not to win for just three years, but to still be in the game when I'm 30. This season has been incredible, but everything can change." 

READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios doubles down on criticism of Jannik Sinner amid doping controversy