Tennis superstar Jannik Sinner. © AFP / HECTOR RETAMAL

Sad Sinner: “It was a strange Christmas”

For Jannik Sinner, the new season begins on Tuesday with an exhibition match. Beforehand, the Sexten superstar gave insights into his inner life.

06 January 2025

From: det

2024 was the most turbulent year in Jannik Sinner's life. The tennis star from the Pustertal made history when he won his first two Grand Slam tournaments, rose to number 1 in the world and finally crowned himself with triumph at the ATP Finals. On the other hand, the doping case hit the 23-year-old South Tyrolean hard. And: Jannik Sinner had to accept a personal loss in 2024, because his aunt Margith died in September after a long illness.

Sinner had a close relationship with Meggi, as everyone called her, He dedicated his victory at the US Open to her a few weeks before her death. Now Sinner was interviewed by the organizers in the run-up to the Australian Open, and he also talked about his aunt. A topic that clearly affected the Sextner in the video interview. "It's important for me to spend Christmas with my family, but this year it was different, more stressful, because I lost my aunt," said the Sextner.

"I will always keep her in my heart." Jannik Sinner

Sinner then spoke about his good relationship with Aunt Margith. "She is one of those special people that I will always keep in my heart. It was difficult for me to lose such an important person. I could talk to my aunt about everything, which was nice. This Christmas was strange."

These words make it clear once again how important his family is to Jannik Sinner. When the Sextner won the Australian Open a year ago, his first words were for his parents in his South Tyrolean homeland. Sinner wants to make a splash in Melbourne again this year. His season starts on Tuesday (6 a.m. CET) with the show match against Alexei Popyrin. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year begins on Sunday.