So many VIPs in Jannik Sinner’s box: the'Azure explains the link with George Russell

Jannik Sinner’s box was busier than ever during the quarterfinal match of the Monte Carlo tournament between the Blue and Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime. At the Ranieri III Country Club, the South Tyrolean hosted not only the regular members of his team but also dad Hanspeter, inseparable girlfriend Laila Hasanovic, and surprise Formula 1 driver George Russell, along with his partner Carmen Montero Mundt.

The Mercedes driver, who habitually lives right in Monte Carlo, is enjoying the Formula 1 World Championship break and did not want to miss cheering on his friend (and fellow citizen) Jannik Sinner, sitting with his partner behind athletic trainer Umberto Ferrara and coach Simone Vagnozzi. By his side, however, was Sinner’s manager Alex Vittur.

Sinner’s friendship with Russell is long-standing; the two have met often in the past and were also immortalized during the last Abu Dhabi Grand Prix together with Toto Wolff. “We are good friends, and I was glad he was in my box,” Sinner said after the match. “When I went to the Grand Prix, he invited me to his box. We are more than good friends; we support each other.”

The world number two is a big Formula 1 fan and a friend of both Mercedes drivers: after his victory in Indian Wells he had paid tribute to Andrea Kimi Antonelli himself for his success in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Auger-Aliassime, after the match was over, acknowledged Sinner’s merits without hiding a hint of regret. “With him the exchanges are very fast, it’s a bit like ping pong. I think the exchanges in general were not bad, I was able to do good things as well, but I didn’t start them well. He was better than me in that,” the Canadian said in an exclusive interview with Ubitennis.com. “It was complicated for me to get into the exchange, to take a favorable position right away. When he plays deep and fast from the back, it takes time away from you.” Auger-Aliassime also pointed out that Sinner’s bunt is now a refined weapon and no longer surprising: “He has worked so much on this shot, it is no longer a surprise. He uses it well, even in difficult situations.”