Terence Atmane
Jannik Sinner lives rent-free in Terence Atmane’s head (identical to the Frenchman desires)
Explosive lefty lives for taking part in one of the best on the most important levels
October 01, 2025
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Terence Atmane has performed Jannik Sinner twice previously two months.
By Paul Macpherson
Swing large, dream large.
That appears to be the motto of Terence Atmane, the explosive, fast-rising Frenchman recognized for his love of Pokémon and magic tips.
Having tasted the big-match ambiance of enjoying then-World No. 1 Jannik Sinner within the Cincinnati Open semi-finals in August, the prospect of a re-match with the Italian was his inspiration throughout a three-week coaching block within the Dubai warmth forward of the Asian swing.
The 23-year-old left-hander didn’t want to attend lengthy.
After an opening-round loss to Dino Prizmic in Chengdu, Atmane confronted Sinner within the second spherical of the China Open in Beijing, claiming the second set earlier than the four-time Grand Slam champion pulled away for a 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 win.
“Actually, I used to be fascinated by it on a regular basis once I was practising in Dubai earlier than coming to Asia, fascinated by what I’ve to do on courtroom to get nearer to him each single day,” Atmane instructed ATPTour.com in Shanghai. “And the match [in Beijing] confirmed me that I can win a set, however on the identical time, I am not prepared in any respect to have the ability to beat him in three.
“It confirmed me I am doing the suitable issues as a result of I’ve performed a greater end result than the final time [a 7-6(4), 6-2 loss in Cincinnati]. It’s essential to understand that, for me, no one is unbeatable, though there may be loads of work to do if I would like to have the ability to beat him.”
Life has modified lots previously two months for Atmane, who spent the vast majority of 2025 enjoying qualifying and ATP Challenger Tour occasions. His breakthrough in Cincinnati – the place he defeated High 10 duo Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune and Subsequent Gen ATP Finals champion Joao Fonseca en path to the quarter-finals – slashed his PIF ATP Rating from 136 to 69 and the $332,000 cheque doubled his 2025 earnings.
Upset to overlook the US Open with a foot damage, Atmane was completely happy to make his comeback in Asia, the place he loved success earlier within the yr, successful Challenger titles in Busan, South Korea, and Guangzhou, China.
However a gradual development up the rankings – with the High 50 seemingly the subsequent milestone – isn’t what drives the Frenchman. With a ‘go-big-or-go-home’ mentality, it’s large matches with the likes of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz [whom he has not yet played] that get his juices flowing.
“It is essential to boost the bar, tremendous excessive,” he mentioned. “I’m not centered on making an attempt to be High 50, High 40, High 30. All I need to do is change into a greater participant and a greater particular person each single day.
“In Cincinnati, I beat Taylor and Holger. I do know that they’re higher than me, however I can beat them. Jannik, he is higher than me, however for now, I can not beat him. And that is precisely why I used to be so motivated to play him once more.
“To begin with, I needed to show to myself that I used to be in a position to put a dot on the primary stage, of successful a set in opposition to him. Now the subsequent stage goes to be successful two units, however it would take time, in fact.
“However I hold giving it my greatest, as a result of it’s positively my goal at some point to beat gamers like Jannik and Carlos. That is just about the one goal that I keep in mind.”
Recognized for his depraved lefty serve and harmful forehand, Atmane mentioned that his high-octane sport was impressed by former Chilean World No. 5 Fernando Gonzalez. Though the duo has by no means met, they just lately started exchanging messages over Instagram.
“It appears fairly random that he would have been my favorite participant, however rising up I liked to observe him play,” Atmane mentioned. “He appeared to convey a lot explosiveness each time he performed; the forehand was going enormous on a regular basis. I actually appreciated that and tried to repeat him a little bit bit once I was youthful. Even now I am nonetheless watching his matches, like, each time I’ve some free moments.”
Showing as a direct acceptance into the principle draw of an ATP Masters 1000 for the primary time, Atmane will play Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli within the first spherical of the Rolex Shanghai Masters Thursday, with the winner to play World No. 7 Alex de Minaur within the second spherical.
