#EXCLUSIVE: Jannik Sinner on his Australian Open title defence | 9 News Australia

Yannick Sinner is back in Melbourne and back in the spotlight as he begins his Australian Open title defence. The two-time champion is ranked number two in the world and told Trent Neese he has one goal in mind. Bright lights, a packed room and a champion front and centre. Reigning back-to-back Australian Open champion Yannick Sinner making his first public appearance as an ambassador of Explorer Journeys, soaking up the atmosphere before the hard work begins. It's great you know to start the season here in this in this place there is a lot of enthusiasm you know Australians we love the sport not only tennis but also you know the Australian football and then cricket and all that stuff so it's great to be you know part of this sporting movement. Of course Australian Open it's one of the four biggest tournaments we have throughout the whole year and you start the season you know by having some doubts which is normal but in the same time there's also a lot of confidence you know because of certain results I've made in the past so I'm looking forward to it having a great connection with the crowd and then we'll see how it goes. The 24-year-old comes into the tournament ranked world number two and that doesn't sit well with him. It's one of the goals of this season gonna be very difficult to to get back there but I'm happy to put myself in the game again. I live day by day you know there's one opponent at a time and they just try to put yourself in a in a good position to do it again if it works amazing if not you know I tried my best you know there is not so much we can control about winning or losing you know it's the only thing we can control is to give a hundred percent. Sinner is chasing a third straight Australian Open title a milestone achieved by just one man in the Open era Novak Djokovic. I know that I practice very well to be here the offseason was great physically I feel good so let's see what's coming. And while expectations are high Sinner insists his mindset hasn't changed. You start the season you know by having some doubts which is normal but in the same time there's also a lot of confidence you know because of certain results I've made in the past so I'm looking forward to it. His rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz is currently considered one of the greatest in world sport. Of course you think but in the other way if I want to play against Carlos you know if he's ranked one and me too the only way we meet is in the final. But any rivalry came into question when they arrived together on the same private jet on Sunday. They had just been going head to head in an exhibition match in South Korea. It's something what motivates me and I'm happy to be part of. Friends off the court fierce competitors on it and potentially another Australian Open classic looming. Last one for me your Australian coach Darren you get asked about him every time you come here how important is he to you being a superstar tennis star. He is so important not only to me but to the whole team he is I always say he's the father of the team because he has so much experience and so many great great things he told me in the right moment before a match during a match after the match and this gives you so much calmness you know for the whole team and and also a lot of confidence. I'm happy to to share the court with him for for one more year with him and Simone a great combination and we'll try to push for it so let's see.