2024-01-30 12:18:00
From the 3,500-inhabitant town of Innichen in the Puster Valley via Italy to the world – Jannik Sinner is well on his way to becoming his country’s most important sports ambassador.
“He embodies the beautiful image of Italy from north to south, from east to west – without any difference. Sinner exports the Italian brand all over the world,” says Eurosport editor Simone Pace, highlighting the significance of the 22-year-old’s Australian Open success out.
“To better understand what we’re talking regarding here, even Pope Francis commented on Sinner and said that there are life lessons to be learned from tennis,” Pace explains. “The truth is that these days in Italy everyone – really everyone – is talking regarding Sinner.”
The fourth in the world rankings has long since arrived at the Olympus of Italian sport, and in terms of popularity is at least on a par with football stars, Olympic champions and heroes of bygone eras.
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Of course, it was his likeness that graced the front pages of the major sports papers at the weekend. Whether “Corriere dello Sport”, “Tuttosport” or the “Gazzetta dello Sport” – Sinner was everywhere.
With the Grand Slam success down under, the youngster has already made himself “immortal,” according to “Tuttosport.”
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When Sinner was a guest at the Champions League game between Milan and Borussia Dortmund following winning the Davis Cup in November, the AC Tifosi chanted his name. “Now he has become even more popular and is currently the sports star in Italy,” says tennis expert Pace.
Italy may have produced two Grand Slam winners in the last decade with Francesca Schiavone (French Open 2015) and Flavia Pennetta (US Open 2010), but Sinner is likely to give the tennis scene in the Apennines an unprecedented boost.
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In addition to the sporting class and the likeable demeanor, this is due to the South Tyrolean’s statements in Melbourne, as Pace explains. “Jannik’s words immediately following the triumph were very important. He said: ‘I wish everyone had parents like mine. They always gave me the choice, never put me under pressure. I wish that all children have the freedom I had.’ We can hope that from now on a lot of children in Italy will come to tennis,” said the Eurosport editor from Milan.
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Sinner’s down-to-earth attitude comes across. Someone shines through his play, fairness and without pithy sayings and an ego that obscures the view. “Where my parents are right now, it’s minus 20 degrees in the morning. It’s better to run in the sun here,” joked the Pustertaler in the winner’s interview in the Rod Laver Arena.
The newly crowned champion lets the fans take part in his journey and provides insights without imposing himself. “When I was 14 years old, I left home. As a result, I had to grow up pretty quickly and try to cook and do laundry for myself,” Sinner said, looking back on his career.
Invitations, PR appointments, honors – distractions for sinners
That was a drastic change, “but on the other hand, it was perhaps the fastest way to grow up.” A learning effect that can only help the 22-year-old, because it is also clear that new temptations will come his way, invitations, PR appointments, honors. All things that have a high potential for distraction.
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Emma Raducanu, who won the US Open out of nowhere in 2021, can tell you a thing or two regarding it. The following year, the Brit became the youngest woman to date to be appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire and was massively ensnared on all sides. To this day, for various reasons, Raducanu can no longer match the level he had back then.
“Sinner at home in the Olympus of superstars”
Of course, every case and every professional is different, but Sinner has to be careful. The spotlight will be even brighter in the coming months, “because Jannik is now at home together with other superstars in the Olympus of Italian sport,” emphasizes Pace.
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However, there is no reason to fear that he will let it turn his head. The team around coaches Daren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi will keep a close eye on Sinner – and he gives the impression that he can handle success.
And if the ground does get too hot, it still has a place to retreat to where it can cool down at minus 20 degrees…
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