Dominic Thiem Opens Up About Jannik Sinner

Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem spoke in an interview with Sky about the bond of respect and friendship he shares with Jannik Sinner: “Jannik and I have known each other for quite some time; it’s always nice to see him. It’s a pleasure to talk to him and have a chat in German,” the Austrian tennis player said. After his final career match in Vienna in 2024, Sinner sent a message of appreciation to Thiem: “I’ve never played against him in an official match, but he’s always been a fantastic person. No matter my ranking or my age, he’d always say hello and have a chat with me.”

The Austrian tennis player, who won the 2020 U.S. Open and reached No. 3 in the world, revealed how Sinner’s work ethic has impressed him over the years: “I’d sometimes watch him early in the morning, even before the day got underway, in the fitness room at various tournaments, as he performed very specific movements.”

“Monotonous movements, to be honest, if you watch them from the outside; and I think they were monotonous for him too—very slow balance exercises. Knowing how to push yourself with intensity is, in and of itself, an extraordinary talent. It’s not enough just to work hard: you have to be able to do it for years and years on end, without interruption. I’ve met many young people capable of impressive efforts, but after a few weeks or months they stop. They burn out. Consistency remains a decisive factor.”

“Sinner is a methodical worker, extraordinarily solid in every detail. And then, what stands out most today—and which obviously couldn’t be seen when he was 16 or 17—is the way he moves. It’s surprising. It’s even more impressive in person: the way he anticipates every ball… no matter how much pressure you put on him, he’s always there and manages to regain his balance to return an extremely difficult shot. I’d say that’s the aspect that stands out the most.”