South Tyrol, Italy’s sports scene, even the entire tennis world is wondering: What’s going on with Jannik Sinner? After his cancellation for the Masters tournament in Rome, the 22-year-old is now speaking openly.
06. May 2024
From: fop
The cancellation of the Masters tournament in the Eternal City due to injury caused quite a stir at the weekend. This is also why a special press conference was called on Sunday, in which Jannik Sinner himself took part, alongside Italy’s association boss Angelo Binaghi.
First of all, the world number two admitted that he had not initially expected his hip to be so seriously injured. “In Madrid it was ups and downs, sometimes I felt severe pain, sometimes almost none at all. I didn’t think the problems would be so serious.” Nevertheless, he got out in Madrid and then underwent more detailed examinations. “It was only the magnetic resonance that showed that something was wrong with the hip.”
“I don’t want to throw away three years of my career” Jannik Sinner
Sinner seemed dejected when he arrived in Rome, but nevertheless analyzed the current situation objectively: “There are injuries that can be prevented, but this is not one of them. I played last year with almost no problems and have been injury-free so far this season. That’s a good sign. Now, however, I have to recover. I have to accept that, even if I feel sorry for the fans.”
Jannik Sinner arrived in Rome on Sunday – and was promptly besieged by fans. © ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI
Sinner was considered an absolute superstar in the run-up to the Internazionali d’Italia. Never before have so many tickets been sold in a short space of time in Rome as this year. A year in which Sinner wanted to win the home tournament for the first time. “Now the most important thing is to take care of your body,” Sinner said on Sunday. He added: “I will only play in Roland Garros (from May 26th) if I am 100% fit. We will know more in seven to ten days.” The only thing that is certain for Sinner is: “I don’t want to throw away three years of my career just to be back on the pitch as quickly as possible.”
“That should have been his party.” Association boss Angelo Binaghi
Angelo Binaghi, the head of Italy’s tennis association, agreed with Sinner at the press conference in Rome, but also said that “Jannik’s call was a stab in the heart.” He had hoped that the South Tyrolean would take part: “It would have been the first time in 47 years that a player from Italy was the favorite to win the tournament. That should have been his party.” However, Binaghi understands Sinner’s rejection: “I think that was the right decision.”