"I have incredible sympathy and admiration for him" - Football icon Ronaldo makes feelings on Jannik Sinner clear

Jannik Sinner remains out of action following an untimely right knee injury that wrecked his North American hardcourt swing and US Open ambitions. Nevertheless, his praises are still getting sung far and wide by some of the biggest sports personalities in the world. Most recently, Brazilian football legend Ronaldo stated his awe for the World No.1 while outlining his love for the sport.

He would have been as disappointed as anyone to hear the annoying news that Sinner had pulled out of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year. In truth, it is a poor return at major level with just one title secured.

A semi-final and second round exit at the Australian Open and Roland Garros was sandwiched in between a barnstorming run where he collected five consecutive Masters 1000 titles and looked practically unbeatable, barely even dropping a set.

He would go on to defend his Wimbledon crown against Alexander Zverev, and that was the last time he was in competitive action. It is a painful pill to swallow for Sinner who will be desperate to get back on court with his arch rival Carlos Alcaraz also back up to speed following a wrist problem of his own.

This rival and the brilliance of Sinner on the tennis court have got people from all aspects of life to watch on with admiration, enjoying sport at the highest level. One of which used to dazzle the football pitches from the mid-90s to the late 2000s. If it were not for injuries, Ronaldo may have been recognised as the best footballer to ever exist. A two-time Ballon d'Or winner, his incredible career was played at some of the best clubs in the world, including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan while also winning the World Cup twice with Brazil.

Away from his former profession, the 49-year-old has a thing for tennis. Formerly playing in Italy, he will most certainly have an eye on their players with Sinner at the top of the list. Ronaldo did not need much to laud the Italian.

"I am in love with tennis. I follow tennis more than football," he told SuperTennis in an interview.

Sinner is the name on the tip of everyone's tongues, but Italy has a lot more talent below him. Flavio Cobolli, Luciano Darderi, Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Arnaldi, and Matteo Berrettini have all played significant roles over the years for their country. They have swept up the prior three Davis Cup Finals titles and will target a fourth in Bologna.

While Italian tennis is on the rise, its football is going downhill at a rapid rate. Domestic teams are not the force they once were in Europe, with the national team having failed to qualify for the World Cup the three prior editions despite winning the 2021 European Championship.

Ronaldo was quick to recognise that. "It is a difficult period for Italian football, but we hope it will change quickly," he said. "Tennis, on the other hand, is going through a wonderful period. Many Italian champions are succeeding, notably Jannik Sinner."

The 25-year-old has stormed to the forefront of the sport in the past few years. Once an emerging talent slowly making his way up the rankings, his big break did not come as soon as Alcaraz, who was a Grand Slam champion and World No.1 at the age of 19. He won the 2024 Australian Open before later that year sailing to the top of the ATP Rankings. Doping controversy and recent injury woes have not stopped him in his tracks, with some of his earlier Masters 1000 feats an unprecedented record.

"I have incredible sympathy and admiration for him," Ronaldo continued. "I hope to be able to see one of his matches live soon."

When Sinner will next be on court is yet to be confirmed, although he is listed to compete in the China Open. If deemed fit, he will attempt to defend his title in Beijing against the likes of Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Novak Djokovic, Cobolli, Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev in a stacked lineup.