Jannik Sinner, awkward moment with President Mattarella

Spectacular when it comes to competing on the court, Jannik Sinner turns into a very ordinary guy, embarrassed and intimidated when it comes to collecting credit and applause. And it was precisely this particular shyness that led to a decidedly special moment within the setting set up by the organizers of the Internazionali d’Italia to reward the Azzurro’s triumph in the final against Casper Ruud.

In fact, present at the presentation of the trophy were Adriano Panatta, who until this morning had been the last Italian to win in Rome in men’s singles, and President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. Trying to explain his own emotions, Sinner explained how happy he was with the Head of State’s presence, referring, however, to him as “Mr. Mattarella,” rather than President.

Catching the emotion of the moment, Mattarella himself smiled with relish at the small slip of the tongue, while the audience encouraged Sinner not to be overwhelmed by emotion and continue his speech. The South Tyrolean then also thanked Panatta, explaining his importance still today for the tennis world, then addressing a further greeting, as well as a dutiful thank you, to those present, all his fans and his staff, also reiterating his congratulations to the opposing finalist.

It was not only Sinner, however, who was overwhelmed by emotions on this historic day at the Foro Italico. In the very last moments of the final, mother Siglinde, sitting in the stands next to father Hanspeter, preferred to lower her head and cover her face, unable to contain her emotion. A gesture that did not go unnoticed by fans and certifies how impossible it is, even for the Sinner family, to get used to victories.