Jannik Sinner is facing rare criticism after a surprise quarterfinal exit at the Qatar Open, falling 6-7, 6-2, 3-6 to Jakub Mensik.
Expected to advance comfortably against the world number 16, Sinner instead delivered an inconsistent performance in Doha, extending his wait for a first title of the 2026 season. While there is no widespread panic, questions are beginning to surface in Italy about the trajectory of his campaign.
Bertolucci’s strong message
Former Italian Davis Cup champion Paolo Bertolucci did not hold back in his assessment. Taking to social media after the defeat, Bertolucci outlined a series of changes he believes Sinner must consider.
“Jannik Sinner is in love; he needs to rethink his preparation, change the team, rediscover that killer instinct, change his game, work only on his tennis, limit the advertisements, accept [Carlos] Alcaraz’s superiority, and revise his schedule,” he said (translated from Italian).
“It takes some arrogance to process being the ATP number two.”
The remarks reflect a growing sentiment that Sinner, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, may need to recalibrate if he is to reclaim the top spot.
The Alcaraz gap
Sinner trails Carlos Alcaraz by just under 3,000 ATP ranking points — a margin that keeps the battle for world No. 1 within reach but demands consistency at the highest level. Doha was seen as an opportunity to build momentum; instead, it exposed vulnerabilities.
Yet Bertolucci also urged perspective amid the criticism.
“I’d avoid making a tragedy out of it,” he said (translated from Italian).
“Sinner is just experiencing a slight dip after two years of otherworldly performance.
“In all of this, he’s lost two matches while scoring more points than his opponent, and to beat him, it still takes a monstrous performance from a very strong rival."
Temporary dip or turning point?
For Jannik Sinner, the Qatar exit may serve as either a minor blip or a catalyst for deeper adjustments. His recent dominance has set exceptionally high standards, making even routine defeats feel amplified.
With the season still young, the Italian remains firmly in contention at the top of men’s tennis. Whether he chooses to “rethink” as suggested could shape the narrative of his 2026 campaign.