ATP Tour

Sinner reflects on the decision that 'changed everything' ahead of Rome return

For Jannik Sinner, this year’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia marks another opportunity to compete in front of his home fans, but it's also a chance to reflect on the decision that helped shape his career.

The 24-year-old Italian returns to Rome amid one of the most dominant stretches of his career, having won all four ATP Masters 1000 events contested so far this season. This fortnight, Sinner is also aiming to complete the Career Golden Masters and join Novak Djokovic as the only men to achieve that feat.

During a pre-tournament press conference on Thursday at the Foro Italico, the World No. 1 reflected on the sacrifices that helped shape his rise. Notably, the Italian's decision to leave home at 13 and train at the Piatti Tennis Center.

“The decision was not easy because I had to leave my family, but I know that they are next to me in any decision,” Sinner said. “It's more like I'm going away from friends, because I was not so much in contact with them. I have a couple of very good friends. We still manage to have the best friendship because they know me since I'm very young and I was no one.

“I think this is the best friendship we have. But at the same time, I was struggling to get used to new conditions also for my body. I never went to the gym before. I never played more than a couple of times a week before. [From when I was] 13 and a half, everything has changed. But I believe it was good for me to grow as a person mostly, then a player.”

That leap of faith transformed Sinner from a teenager into a leading force in men’s tennis. Since transitioning onto the ATP Tour, Sinner has become the first Italian man to climb to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings and has won 28 tour-level trophies, including four major titles.

“Of course, you dream to play on the biggest stages possible. But it was not easy," Sinner continued, reflecting on his decision. “At the same time I was very, very fortunate where they put me, getting to know people. I was living with a Croatian family, which I'm still in contact with. It has been an amazing experience. I would do it again, not because of the result I have on court, but because it makes me grow as a person first.”

Aiming to win his 10th ATP Masters 1000 title and become just the seventh man to do so, Sinner begins his Rome campaign against Sebastian Ofner or Alex Michelsen. The Italian reached the final last year, when he fell to rival Carlos Alcaraz, and owns a 14-6 record at the Foro Italico, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

“It's a very, very special tournament — for us Italians even more,” said Sinner, who claimed his fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 trophy in Madrid last week. “I had a couple days off not doing anything [after Madrid]. I felt like it was very much needed. Today is the first day again. So [my] first time hitting here this afternoon. So let's see how it goes.

“I have a couple of days to prepare. It's not a lot, but at the same time I also know in the back of my mind that I played a lot. I'm very happy to be here. It has been a very special place for many, many years. Let's see what's coming this year.”

There is no shortage of history within reach for the top seed. Beyond the opportunity to complete the Career Golden Masters, Sinner is also chasing a record-breaking Masters 1000 winning streak and attempting to become the first Italian man since Adriano Panatta in 1976 to lift the Rome singles trophy.