Adriano Panatta defends Sinner. © ANSA / Intesa Sanpaolo Press Office

“All nonsense”: Panatta introduces himself to Sinner

After Jannik Sinner's elimination at Wimbledon, the 22-year-old was heavily criticized in this country. Tennis legend Adriano Panatta has now defended the world number one in several interviews.

July 12, 2024

From: leo

Jannik Sinner has played 46 matches in the 2024 season, winning 42 of them. In the rare cases in which he leaves the field as a loser, however, there is a great outcry. Research into the causes is being carried out and things are being questioned. Adriano Panatta writes in Greenhouse Courier: "Did he lose? Did he really lose? So what? What's so bad about it? In tennis, you lose. That happens even to the best, and Sinner has long been one of them."

As we know, 128 players take part in a Grand Slam tournament and only one finishes at the top. In view of this, Panatta said, we need to respect the normality of defeat. "Invincibility does not exist in sport - especially not in tennis. And in its own way, this lack is a gift. It makes the sport more human and can teach us something. At least that we should keep our feet on the ground."

Panatta supports Sinner

According to Panatta, the problem relates above all to the fans, the media, the observers and not to Sinner, who "has never stopped being down to earth. We are the ones who get too excited. We are the ones who think Sinner is unbeatable and feel bad when he is defeated. Is it the great love for this young athlete or the desire to feel a little unbeatable thanks to him?" Panatta concludes his contribution.

Eliminated in Wimbledon: Jannik Sinner © ANSA / NEIL HALL

The 1976 French Open winner is in another interview with the Il Fatto Quotidiano addressed another topic. Namely, the relationship between Sinner and the Russian Anna Kalinskaya. In a Courier-Article was published in recent days: "Nobody blames Jannik for wanting to live out his age and his new love. That is an inviolable wish. But a more secluded life might have helped to contain the virus. Or even prevented it." The article alludes to the fact that Sinner often sat in his Russian girlfriend's box - even on the outside seats. And that his illness may be due to this.

Panatta says that these are "all stupid things" and adds: "Champions are also normal people with their private lives. Everyone can be burdened with emotions. As far back as I can remember, women have never hurt anyone. But Sinner knows exactly what he has to do, he doesn't need a lot of advice. He's a smart guy who knows how to get ahead and he has a team of professionals to help him."