Jannik Sinner: popular in Italy like no other

Jannik Sinner like no one else in Italy, at least when it comes to sports. The fact should come as no surprise, given the very long winning streak of the world number 1 tennis player and the consistent fame he has managed to build along the Boot. Now, however, comes the data, black on white: in our country, no sportsman is as popular.

This is certified by a survey by the Ipsos demographic institute, the results of which were made public by ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’. Out of a sample of 1,000 people, who were asked to account for 850 people from different categories (not only sportsmen, but also well-known figures from show business, music and beyond), 82.5 percent of respondents could say who Jannik Sinner was.

The ‘Rosea’ specifies that in the case of the tennis player from San Candido it is “total recognition”. So not only was Sinner called by his actual name, but those contacted were able to state correctly what his job was and why he is a noteworthy character. After all, Angelo Binaghi recently compared him to a tricolor legend of all time such as Gigi Riva.

Striking, however, is another fact. Sinner in fact turns out to be the best-known active sportsman to Italians in 2025. In fact, his 82.5 percent is higher than anyone else’s, starting with Bebe Vio (80.7 percent). The first soccer player is Gianluigi Donnarumma, who does not go beyond 77.8%. Preceding the South Tyrolean champion are only icons or legends of the past, starting with Valentino Rossi (94 percent) and Federica Pellegrini (89.4 percent). Outliers who, just like him, also drew the attention of Italians to the sport of which they were the most celebrated standard-bearers.