Francesca Schiavone tags Jannik Sinner as a role model

Former world number four Francesca Schiavone believes that Italy’s Jannik Sinner is a role model for other players. The 22-year-old is often regarded as one of the most highly-rated players currently playing in the men’s singles category along with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner has been outstanding in the 2024 season, where he went on to win his maiden Grand Slam — the Australian Open—after beating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final in a five-set thrilling finale with a score of 3–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–3. That’s not it as he also secured victories in the ATP event in Rotterdam and the Miami Open. Sinner’s incredible run was halted by a hip injury, which ruled him out of the Rome Open.

Despite the setback, one-time Grand Slam winner Schiavone believes that the current world number two is a role model for other players. "After Adriano Panatta there was silence for many years, then there was me, Flavia Pennetta, Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani,” she said. “Now there are these young players who are giving us a splendid show. Jannik in particular has a truly commendable approach to tennis. We should all take an example from him in how he approaches matches. Every game has a story about him. Whether he plays in Paris, Rome, New York, is always an expression of what you have trained and who you are. Rome is continually growing, also thanks to Sinner."