“I wish everyone could have my parents”: Jannik Sinner thanks family for ‘freedom’ given after Australian Open win

Jannik Sinner is the new Australian Open champion. The 22-year-old Italian player has won the first Grand Slam of his professional career after defeating Daniil Medvedev in a marathon and historic five-set match at the 2024 edition of the Melbourne Grand Slam: 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Sinner became, at the same time, the first Italian in history to win the Australian Open, extending his magnificent form with which he ended the 2023 season by winning for Italy the Davis Cup. In remarks during the trophy ceremony, the new Grand Slam champion showed all his happiness.

"Hello everyone. Daniil, I want to congratulate you and your team on an amazing tournament again," Jannik Sinner began by saying of his opponent. "We have played many finals together. In every match I find something I can improve on... you make me a much, much better player. Your effort has been impressive during the whole tournament. The hours off the court and also today, running after every ball... it's admirable to see. I hope you can lift this trophy here. I'm sure you can.

He then proceeded to thank his coaching staff: "My team, everyone who’s in this box.. Also watching from home who works with me.. We’re trying to get better every day. Even during the tournament, we try to get stronger and understand every situation a little better. I’m so glad to have you there supporting me and understanding me. Sometimes it’s not easy because I’m still a bit young sometimes. It is what it is.”," he adds with a laugh.

To conclude, he talked about his parents and how lucky he feels to have had them, because they always gave him the freedom to build his own path: "Everyone who’s watching from home, especially my family.. I wish everyone could have my parents. They always let me choose whatever I wanted to. Even when I was younger, I played some other sports.. they never put pressure on me. I wish this freedom is possible for as many young kids as possible. Thank you so much to my parents.”