“It wasn’t a sporting moment”: Jannik Sinner explains which memory he would erase from his life

Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 08:30

Jannik Sinner has opened up about one of the most emotional moments of his life, explaining that the memory he would erase has nothing to do with a tennis defeat. In a recent interview with La Repubblica, the Italian reflected on the personal sacrifice behind his rise to the top of the sport and recalled the painful day he left his family as a teenager to pursue his tennis career.

The interview comes during an unusually long period away from competition for Sinner. The Italian won 44 of his 47 matches in 2026, collecting major titles and establishing himself among the dominant players on the ATP Tour before a knee injury brought his season to an early end.

His last appearance came in the Wimbledon final on July 12, when he defeated Alexander Zverev to successfully defend his title. The victory gave Sinner his second consecutive Wimbledon crown and fifth Grand Slam singles title, but he has not played a competitive match since.

His injury subsequently ruled him out of the North American hard-court swing, the US Open and the Asian swing, before he announced the early conclusion of his season in October.

Away from the court, Sinner is also preparing for a new chapter with his coaching team. Reports have linked former world No. 2 Magnus Norman with a move to join the Italian's staff for 2027, replacing Darren Cahill and working alongside Simone Vagnozzi. Norman previously coached Stan Wawrinka to three Grand Slam titles, although Sinner's reported appointment has not been officially confirmed by the player.

Sinner recalls the painful day he left his father at 13

Asked by La Repubblica whether there was a day in his life he would choose to erase, Sinner made clear that neither a defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in Paris nor his loss to Novak Djokovic in Melbourne came close to being his answer.

“It wouldn’t be a sporting moment, nor the defeat in the final against Alcaraz in Paris in 2025, nor the semifinal defeat against Djokovic in Melbourne at the beginning of the year,” Sinner said.

“I would like to erase what I felt on the day I left home," the Italian explained. "The pain of saying goodbye to my father at 13 and a half, in Milan, because our paths were separating and a thread was breaking. We were parting, and I was crying because of the separation, but so was he. I could do without that day; it was an emotion that was too intense.”

Sinner left his home in South Tyrol as a teenager to move to Bordighera, where he trained under Riccardo Piatti. The decision became a defining step in his development, setting him on the path toward the top of professional tennis.

“Perhaps it helped me find my balance, even though I suffered. It made me understand that making a choice means gaining new things and losing others."

"There can be pain, but also the awareness that a decision that has cost you a lot should not be wasted. You have to do everything you can to make the most of it, without regrets. With commitment, consistency and hard work.”

Wimbledon triumph, injury setback and a patient approach to his return

Sinner's reflections arrive at a point when patience has become central to his professional life. After winning Wimbledon, the Italian was unable to continue his season because of a persistent problem with his right knee.

The interruption has kept him away from the competition for more than three months, forcing him to focus on rehabilitation and preparation rather than adding to his impressive 2026 record.

“I haven’t done anything out of the ordinary. I went to Monza to watch Formula 1 and to Milan for the Gucci fashion show," the world No. 1 said. "I played a little more PlayStation and started reading a 600-page book, Io uccido, by Giorgio Faletti. I never stopped, nor did I turn my back on tennis because it had hurt me!

"In fact, I have always worked hard, both in the gym and on court, and with the physiotherapists. Patience is the key word for this period. Your body is the only opponent you cannot beat. When it tells you to stop, you have to accept it and follow the specialists’ advice.”

Asked which moment he would like to relive, Sinner again avoided choosing a major victory or a milestone on the tour. Instead, he described a simple winter day spent skiing with friends in the Dolomites, alongside moments with his family and a go-karting session with racing driver Antonio Giovinazzi and cyclist Giulio Ciccone.

“The purity of a winter Sunday skiing with my friends in the Dolomites. The feeling of a beautiful day doing something you enjoy," the 5-time major champion said. "A group of kids who just want to have fun. I would also include any moment with my family and a go-karting session near Cuneo with Antonio Giovinazzi and Giulio Ciccone. I like speed, that’s no secret. I need adrenaline to keep boredom away.”

For Sinner, the memories that matter most are not necessarily the ones recorded in a tennis history book. As he works toward his return, his first challenge will be the Six Kings Slam in late December, where he will attempt to win the exhibition tournament for the third consecutive year.

The event offers players a reported $1.5 million appearance fee, with the champion receiving an additional $6 million in prize money. Sinner won the inaugural edition in 2024 and successfully defended his title in 2025, but this time, the focus will also be on assessing his physical condition and competitive level ahead of the nex season, with the 2027 Australian Open set to be his first major target.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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