Jannik Sinner: Doctor Clarifies the Condition of His Knee
To shed light on Jannik Sinner’s condition, Fanpage sought the opinion of Dr. Giovanni Di Giacomo, an internationally renowned specialist who has served as the lead physician for the BNL Italian Open and the ATP Finals for over thirty years. “Jannik is cared for by an exceptional team of doctors; I know them personally. Given the results he’s achieved in such a short time—in just a few years—it’s clear that he’s always been very well managed from a medical standpoint. So I’m confident that the decisions they make are the most appropriate ones. It’s clear that, unfortunately, sometimes the decision isn’t made for the best outcome, but to minimize the damage. Often, when we manage these athletes, the public perceives them as infallible. They are champions. And when an athlete transitions from being just an athlete to a champion, the collective imagination tends to think that this person isn’t human. But that’s precisely where the mistake lies.”
According to Di Giacomo, therefore, it should come as no surprise that even the best players in the world can face physical problems and periods of inactivity. “They are very human young men—they have ligaments, tendons, and cartilage; they suffer from functional overload; and they have their own genetic characteristics. So, even though they’re champions, anyone can be hampered by a variety of factors. Therefore, if his colleagues deemed it necessary to reduce the strain on his knee, it means he has an overuse syndrome—just as countless other athletes have experienced in the past. And rest—aside from shockwave therapy, physical therapy, and medication—is always the best treatment.”
His withdrawal from Cincinnati, therefore, can also be viewed in light of upcoming tournaments, starting with the U.S. Open. “Well, you always have to weigh the options. Sometimes they might decide not to risk Cincinnati in order to be in better shape for the US Open, and so there are ranking considerations involved—a whole series of technical assessments made by the team to determine where it’s best not to take risks. So I assume they preferred not to risk Cincinnati, in order to be in top form in the U.S., where I’m pretty sure he’ll be competing.”
