Jannik Sinner, who qualified early for the Nitto ATP Finals as world no. 4, has had a stellar 2023 season. He reached the Wimbledon semifinals, won a Masters 1000 title and two ATP 500 titles, a run that propelled him to the top of the ATP rankings and laid the foundation for his qualification for the year-ending tournament.
However, the Italian’s start to the year wasn’t without its emotional struggles, as the carrot-top big-server had to undergo a personal loss early in the season, one that even led to him shedding a tear.
Jannik Sinner talks about the death of his grandfather
Jannik Sinner has had the support of his non-tennis family from a young age. At the age of thirteen, he left home to live and train by himself at the Piatti Tennis Centre in Bordighera, with adequate financial and emotional backing from his parents and family.
Thus, the recent passing away of Sinner’s grandfather in January 2023 was a devastating blow for the Italian. Sinner recalls having to take an impromptu flight back from Australia, where he was preparing for the season-starting grand slam, to Milan.
However, he hadn’t arrived on time and his grandfather had passed away. Sinner vividly remembers his father’s sullen expression and his own shedding of a tear or two on hearing the news.
Nevertheless, the consummate professional that he is, Jannik Sinner took part in the 2023 Adelaide international 1 tournament followed by the Australian Open, where he lost to eventual finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round.
It has been over 11 months since the sad passing away of his grandfather, but Jannik Sinner is still on a roll, having most recently won the Vienna Open. His status at the top of the ATP rankings means he has been drafted into the Green group at the Nitto ATP Finals, and will begin his journey against a familiar foe.
Jannik Sinner’s opponent at ATP World Tour Finals
Jannik Sinner will begin his quest for a first Nitto ATP Finals crown when he takes on his Australian Open opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday, November 12 at 12:30 AM BST.
The venue is the Pala Altipour multipurpose stadium in Turin, Italy and Jannik Sinner is bound to have a fervent home crowd backing him ferociously, including his carrot fan club in the stands. Stefanos will face an uphill task ahead of him as not only will the crowd be antagonistic towards him, but he will also face a momentum-heavy Sinner, who will look to play his best game.
However, the head-to-head meetings state that the Greek star has historically displayed a better game when pitted against the Italian. He leads Sinner 5-2 in their meetings, with Sinner winning their most recent meeting at the ATP Rotterdam in February.
“Playing in Turin means a lot to me because I will live the experience with the home crowd,” he said ahead of his match.
With both players wary of the threat from Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune, the two other players in their group, they will know an early win in the tournament will set the tone for what is to come and will give them an edge when playing the other two.
What are your opinions on how Jannik Sinner has displayed the utmost professionalism in the face of tragedy? Let us know in the comments section below.
