Jannik Sinner
Italian Tennis Player
Jannik Sinner is an Italian tennis player. He won his first ATP singles title at the Sofia Open in November 2020.
Jannik Sinner
• Date of birth: 16 August 2001
• Age: 21 years old
• Place of birth: San Candido, Italy
• Nationality: Italian
• Height: 188cm / 6ft 2ins
• Weight: 76kg / 167lbs
• Plays: Right-handed
• Turned Pro: 2018
• Career Prize Money: US$ 4,896,338
• Instagram: @janniksin
The impressive 21-year-old turned professional back in 2018 and soon made an impact on the tour, breaking into the top 100 in the world rankings for the first time in 2019.
After reaching his first grand slam quarter-final at the 2020 French Open, he went on to win his maiden ATP title at the Sofia Open in November of that year.
In 2021, he managed to pick up an impressive four singles titles in total, including retaining his crown at the Sofia Open.
Sinner continued to impress as he moved steadily up the world rankings, ending 2021 as the number 10 in the world and earning plenty of praise for his performances.
So, what do we know about Sinner’s journey to becoming the talented tennis player he is today? This is his story.
Early Life, Parents And Upbringing
Jannik Sinner was born on 16 August 2001 to parents Johann and Siglinde Sinner in San Candido, Italy. San Candido is located in the municipality of Innichen, in the predominantly German-speaking region of South-Tyrol in northern Italy.
His parents both worked at the Talschlusshutte restaurant in Sesto-Val-Fiscalina, where his father was a chef and his mother was a waitress.
Sinner, who has a brother named Marc, started both skiing and playing tennis from a young age. Indeed, in his younger years, it appeared more likely that Jannik – who was also a keen footballer – would pursue a career on the slopes rather than on the court, after having been ranked as one of Italy’s top junior skiers from eight to 12 years old.
“I was skiing because in our part of Italy, skiing is the first sport you actually do,” Jannick explained in an interview back in 2020. I started to win in that sport quite early – I felt great on my skis and I always wanted to ski every day.
Jannik Sinner (Photo: Screengrab / YouTube)
“Tennis was like my third sport, because the second one was playing football. I always liked to play in a group with everybody, but at some point I decided to put that away because I noticed that I always wanted to make the decisions, and sometimes that doesn’t work when you play on a team.”
After a brief hiatus from tennis when he was seven years old, Sinner began playing again after having been encouraged to do so by his father. It was when he was 13 that he opted to give up skiing and football in favour of tennis.
Jannick has revealed that he is hugely grateful for the way his family supported him as he pursued his dream of becoming a professional tennis player.
Asked to acknowledge some of the key figures in his development, Sinner replied: “I think first of all, my family who always helped me and gave me the confidence to actually change my life when I was 13-and-a-half, 14 years old.
Jannik Sinner (Photo: Minko Chernev / depositphotos.com)
“I was going away from home, leaving other sports and leaving behind other huge friends, which I unfortunately can’t see them that much anymore even now.”
Sinner – who looked up to Roger Federer when he was growing up – has revealed that his favourite shot is backhand, his preferred surface is hard, and his favourite tournament is the US Open. His favourite city on the tour is Rome.
First ATP Title And More Progress
After enjoying limited success as a junior player – his highest junior ranking being 133 in the world – Sinner made his ATP Tour debut in 2019 at the Hungarian Open. He picked up his first ATP Tour level victory at the tournament, defeating wild card Mate Valkusz.
Sinner continued to make quick progress and secured his first ever ATP Masters 1000 victory at the Italian Open in Rome in 2019 against Steve Johnson.
Sinner then reached the main draw of a grand slam for the first time at the 2019 US Open, when he came through qualifying to reach the first round, where he lost to Stan Wawrinka.
At the European Open in Belgium, Sinner reached his first ever tour-level semi-final.
The Italian then ended the 2019 season in style, qualifying for the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals and going on to win the tournament with a win over Alex de Minaur in the final.
“I don’t have words,” Sinner said after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals title. “He’s an unbelievable player. I just tried to play my game and not make any errors. I didn’t make many today, so I’m very happy with my performance. The week has been unbelievable. The crowd… You can hear them now. I’m very happy… I wouldn’t be here without the wild card, so thanks to everyone.”
Jannik Sinner (Photo: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships)
Sinner ended the season as number 78 in the world, becoming the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2003 to end the year in the top 80.
The Italian enjoyed more progress in 2020 despite the shutdowns due to Covid-19, and he reached the quarter-finals of the French Open, where he lost to Rafael Nadal.
Sinner won his first ATP title at the Sofia Open in November 2020. He beat Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3) in the final to become the youngest man to win an ATP Tour title in more than 12 years.
“It is always special when you win tournaments,” said Sinner after the final in Sofia. “I felt well this week. It is special. Playing finals like this, 7-6 in the third… is always tough. But when you win, it is an even better win than winning 6-1 6-1.
“I am happy about the match, how I tried to stay there every point and I think it is a very special week for me.”
Jannik Sinner (Photo: Minko Chernev / depositphotos.com)
Sinner finished an impressive 2020 ranked as the world number 37.
Further Progress In 2021 And Beyond
Sinner notched up his second career ATP Tour title at the Great Ocean Road Open in Australia in February 2021, beating fellow Italian Stefano Travaglia in the final.
He reached the final of the ATP 1000 event in Miami, where he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in his first 1000 Masters final.
He continued to make progress throughout 2021 and picked up his third career title at the 2021 Citi Open in Washington DC, beating Mackenzie McDonald to capture his first ATP 500 level crown.
Sinner then collected his fourth career title in October 2021 when he successfully defended his crown at the Sofia Open, beating second seed Gael Monfils in the final.
His fifth career title soon followed, with Sinner triumphing at the 2021 European Open in Belgium thanks to a final victory over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman.
Sinner was handed the opportunity to play at the 2021 ATP Finals after fellow countryman Matteo Berrettini had to withdraw due to an abdominal injury.
He beat Hubert Hurkacz and became the youngest player to win an ATP Finals match on debut since Lleyton Hewitt in Lisbon back in 2000.
At the 2022 Australian Open, Sinner enjoyed an impressive run to the quarter-finals, where he was defeated by fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.
Jannik Sinner (Photo: Christopher Putnam / FiledIMAGE Photography / depositphotos.com)
Life Away From The Court
Away from tennis, Sinner’s favourite TV show is Prison Break and his favourite musician is Eminem.
He enjoys playing football when he can and supports AC Milan. His favourite foods are pizza and sushi, but his guilty pleasures are chocolate and candy.
According to his ATP Tour profile page, Sinner believes that his best quality is “staying calm”.
Earnings And Prize Money
As of May 2022, Sinner had earned US$ 4,896,338 in total prize money for both singles and doubles.
In May 2019, Sinner announced a clothing sponsorship deal with Nike.
Jannik Sinner (Photo: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships)
What Have Others Said?
Novak Djokovic, speaking about Sinner in April 2021: “I have seen his development, his trajectory, his road to where he is at the moment. It’s really impressive. He’s a very, very nice person. He’s working really hard. He’s devoted. He’s got all the goods that he needs in order to become a champion. He’s surrounded with very good people from tennis coach, fitness coach, physio. I know all these people from a long time … He’s in good hands.”
Andy Roddick, speaking about Sinner in August 2021: “On his backhand side, you’d like to see him be able to check down and keep that ball in play, as opposed to just trying to force the issue over and over. “But that’s also one of his strengths, so you’d have to work on that really diligently.”
