Lukas Hofer (here with his girlfriend Johanna Puff in the background) is a big Sinner fan. © sn

Jannik Sinner is also a big topic in Antholz

Antholz has shown its best side again this week. The dress rehearsal for the 2026 Olympics was a success. On the last day of competition in the South Tyrol Arena, however, another sport was also the big topic for once.

26 January 2025

From: dl

From Antholz – by David Lechthaler

No matter where you were in Antholz on this Sunday morning, Jannik Sinner was the number one topic of conversation - including in the press center. The journalists and volunteers present were excited - and most of them were on Sinner's side. Of course, this also included the head of the organizing committee, Lorenz Leitgeb, who, together with Governor Arno Kompatscher, kept his fingers crossed for Sinner for quite some time.

When asked about this, Lukas hofer after his chase: "Everyone watched the final, we also watched it in the lounge. As a Pusterer, you naturally keep your fingers crossed. Jannik plays so consistently and seems to be mentally ready for anything. That's really impressive."

Many South Tyroleans followed Jannik Sinner on Sunday – including here (in Innichen). © ANSA / Christoph Rainer

The 35-year-old said of his own performance: "I'm improving as a runner. Overall, however, I was only completely satisfied with my relay performance this week in Antholz." Hofer is looking forward to the 2026 Olympics, but that is still a long way off.

What do the ladies say?

Dorothea Wierer Sinner also congratulated him on his next Grand Slam title: "Big compliments to Jannik. Now and then, when I have time, I watch his games too. But that's not so easy because I'm on the road a lot. But it's impossible not to follow him. You read about it everywhere - even on social media. Who knows, maybe we'll meet one day." Wierer feels in good shape - even if she had some minor physical problems this weekend.

The start of the women's relay on Sunday. © NordicFocus / NordicFocus

Hannah Auchentaller we spoke to Sinner in the mixed zone when the match had only been over for about 10 minutes. "Really, did you win?" was her first reaction. "Since Jannik came along, you've followed tennis much more. Now you have a connection to it." With this, Auchentaller speaks for many South Tyroleans. "He is a brutally cool athlete and as a person he lives by beautiful values. That makes an athlete interesting. A mega athlete who seems very balanced."

“Since Jannik came along, people follow tennis a lot more.” Hannah Auchentaller

Auchentaller was also satisfied with the 2025 Antholz World Cup: "That was good today after yesterday. I felt much better again as a runner. You can never afford to let up because we have a compact team."

Who is going to the World Cup?

Sports director Klaus Höllrigl will send five women to the World Championships in Lenzerheide. Six athletes took part in Antholz: Wierer, Auchentaller, Samuela Comola, Michela Carrara, Rebecca Passler and Martina Trabucchi. One would therefore have to stay at home. It will be a close decision, which will be announced in the middle of next week. The World Championships in Switzerland will then begin on February 12th.