VIDEO | Sinner in Merano: "I'm glad to be South Tyrolean"

To experience Jannik Sinner up close: Yes, on Friday evening, this dream of several South Tyroleans actually came true. The world's best tennis player paid a visit to the Sporthilfe Gala in Merano. It caused quite a stir.

12 April 2025

By: alexander foppa/thomas debelyak

Whether in the thermal hotel, on the Passer promenade or in the Kurhaus itself – the world's best tennis player attracted crowds of selfie and autograph hunters on Friday evening in Merano.

As Sinner finally unsurprisingly the award for South Tyrolean Sportsman of the Year The otherwise elegant Kursaal turned into a madhouse. It got even louder when Sinner addressed the crowd in his usual down-to-earth manner. "I'm glad to be here today," he said with a smile.

The world number one from Sexten then spoke about the past difficult weeks. He emphasized that he had used the lockdown to "spend time with my family and friends. But I also used the time to mentally prepare for Rome. I want to serve well there." Afterward, there was more applause from the crowd.

“I tried to clear my head; I find that easier at home.” Jannik Sinner

Host Ivo Zorzi asked Sinner about his recent forays into other sports. "I tried to clear my head; I find that works best at home. However, while go-karting, I had to be careful not to hurt myself. I also realized that cycling isn't really my thing," he laughed.

Short trip to South Tyrol

Sinner traveled to South Tyrol specifically for the sports gala, and this weekend he'll be returning to Monte Carlo, where he'll begin official training on Sunday. "My first sporting goals? The important thing is to give it my all – honestly. Then we'll see," Sinner said. Afterward, he sent a special greeting to the guests at the Kurhaus, and indeed to his entire hometown, in this video:

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