"That guy, he's just like you": The shocking phrase from Atmane's coach before challenging Sinner in Beijing
In an interview with L'Équipe, Guillaume Peyre revealed his key instruction for preparing Terence Atmane to challenge Jannik Sinner: "Don't even look at him. Play your own game or he'll carve you up."
Just over a month after their semifinal clash in Cincinnati, Terence Atmane and Jannik Sinner will meet again on the Beijing court for their second-round match. The Frenchman had fallen with honors in Ohio (7-6, 6-2), but this time hopes his explosive power will disrupt the world No. 2 even more.
His coach, Guillaume Peyre, found the words that could make the difference, aiming to demystify the Italian's status.
"When facing opponents like that, my number one priority as a coach is to break down all mental barriers. That whole respect thing, watching the other player - no! I use pretty harsh, pretty blunt words. I say: 'That guy, he's just like you, he has two arms, two legs and he's here to kick your ass, so you're going to do the same to him.
There's no 'Sinner this' or 'he's too strong' that... You don't even pay attention to him. You play your game, you hit your aces, you strike your forehands. Don't even look at him.'"
"The tactic is very simple. Before his match in Cincinnati, I told him: 'Whatever happens, don't let him play, or he'll carve you up. So you're going to be aggressive, you're going to hit hard, you're going to move him side to side with your forehand (as a left-hander), and also hit winning down-the-line forehands.'", he revealed to L'Équipe.
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