A sensational interview with Jannik Sinner, who discusses his latest injury, aspects of his adolescence, and describes “daily work” as his “only drug.”
What a time Jannik Sinner must be going through. Privately, the Italian surely curses a hip injury that has emerged at the worst possible moment, just as he is confirming himself as a top-level tennis player who is just a step away from rising to the world number one spot for the first time.
Unable to compete at the ATP level, the San Candido native is using these last few days to appear in the press and reveal more of his personality, as he did in a fascinating talk with Vanity Fair.
Obsessive about work. Methodical. Attentive to the smallest detail. The composure and confidence Jannik shows on the court is just an extension of his personality off it, a way of expressing his methodology on the world’s biggest stages.
For Sinner, the only obsession is “work.” A way to feel fulfilled, at peace with himself. “My obsession is work. I feel bad when I can’t train or when I can’t do what I need to do. My drug is the daily effort. Only in this way can I feel good, with a clear conscience.”
Clearly, it’s a lifestyle that contrasts with the Italian’s current situation: injured, amid disturbing rumors of a worrying inflammation in the hip, with Roland Garros increasingly shaky on the horizon… yet, Sinner only responds to adversity in one way: with philosophy, perspective, and impressive maturity. How does Jannik face this latest obstacle?
“I would like to send a message to the youth: enjoy what you do or what you have chosen to do, but above all, know how to face and accept difficulties. Sport is like this: things can’t always go smoothly. When the crisis is over, you will understand even more the importance of what you are doing. The key is who you surround yourself with on your journey, who stands by your side. Success is a momentary feeling: you feel euphoric when you win, screwed when you lose. What truly matters is who you share it with, who you surround yourself with,” he said, according to Punto de Break.
Jannik emphasizes in every interview, in every statement, how fortunate he was to grow up in an environment free of pressure. Not everyone can afford not to be influenced in their decisions by their circle of close people, and Sinner is fully aware of this.
“No one has ever forced me to do anything. The life decisions I have made take time away from your family and friends, for sure. I haven’t spent much time with them; now I try to make it up. However, this ‘forced abstinence’ makes every moment I spend with them now even more special,” he said.
