How Jannik Sinner’s heartwarming message to his parents after Australian Open win hid a painful reality for the Italian star
- Sinner became the first Italian to win the Aussie Open
- Became a grand slam winner at the age of 22
- Had to make great sacrifices to achieve his goal
Italian star Jannik Sinner won many hearts when he became the first Australian Open winner alongside the big three Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal since 2005 on Sunday.
But the 22-year-old also revealed just how much self-sacrifice it has taken to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
On the surface, it has been a quick and meteoric rise to the top for the world number four, who is set for another boost in the rankings after his grand slam victory.
He became the first Italian to win the Aussie trophy and only the second to win a grand slam title in the open era.
He also did it after battling a series of foot injuries in 2022, which saw him withdraw from the Miami Open and French Open, while he was also knocked out in the Wimbledon quarter-finals against Djokovic.
As a 12-year-old, Sinner was actually a snow sports champion in Italy. But his tennis skills forced him to make a very difficult decision in his teenage years.
Sinner (front, center) has been forced to train and play away from his parents (back row, left and second from left) for years to achieve his goals
All the sacrifice was worth it after lifting the Australian Open trophy at Melbourne Park on Sunday, as the 22-year-old became the first Italian to win the title
Sinner held the Australian Open trophy and credited his parents with giving him the freedom to pursue his new sport, which ultimately ended in Grand Slam glory.
“I wish everyone could have my parents because they always let me choose what I wanted,” he said.
“Even when I was younger, I also played other sports and they never put pressure on myself, and I would like this freedom to be possible for as many young children as possible. Thank you so much for my parents.’
While that announcement was heartwarming, what he said next was heartbreaking.
“I don’t see them that often, unfortunately,” Sinner admitted in his post-match press conference.
“But when I see them it’s always a great time.”
The Italian star revealed that he had to grow up quickly, away from his parents and train hard on foreign soil as a teenager.
“I left home when I was 14 years old, so I had to grow up pretty quickly: I tried to cook for myself, do laundry,” Sinner said.
“You know, it’s different the first time, but in other ways that was maybe the fastest way to grow up.
‘I think it was hard for me, but for the parents to leave their son at the age of 14, it is not easy either.
“They always gave me opportunities, they never put pressure on myself, which for me is maybe the key to why I’m here today.
‘I am a very relaxed man who just likes to play tennis. I’m 22 years old, so I also enjoy doing normal things.
‘And that’s it. They are the perfect parents. Of course I only know them, but they are great.’