Jannik Sinner: British journalist impressed by off-the-field behavior

While in Italy Jannik Sinner garners acclaim from the vast majority of fans, abroad many still look askance at the world number one, who is currently dominating the ATP circuit. But among insiders and top tennis players, the Italian champion is often spoken highly of, not least because of his off-court attitude.

British journalist Rich Connelly in an interview with Tales from Tennis revealed a bit of the behind-the-scenes on the circuit, dwelling on the Azzurro’s conduct, which is impeccable even without the racket: “He’s incredibly good at conveying this personality in everything he does, and I think from the outside, we take him for granted, as if that’s how he’s made.”

“During an interview, if you have a bad day, if you look grumpy or sad, or if you snap at someone, that impression stays with you for a long time. So, the ability to maintain that cheerfulness and that good nature is something I really admire a lot. Jannik is kind, that’s the word I would use.”

“He’s one of those guys that, when you sit down, he answers questions. And you can have a chat with him. I really found him to be an exquisite person from the moment he walked into the studio in Rotterdam a few years ago, when he was a lanky teenager who turned into the champion he is today. He has been professional from the very beginning, but above all he has been very kind.”

Sinner came into the Internazionali d’Italia as an absolute ruler, on the strength of five consecutive Masters 1000s and 28 wins in a row in this category of tournaments. A record that could soon improve further: with four wins in Rome, the South Tyrolean would also surpass Novak Djokovic’s all-time record, which stands at 31.