Jannik Sinner is the best player in the world and a straight-sets win against Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final further solidified his case. He has been on a rampage on hard courts, winning titles left, right, and centre. However, Sinner is not just focused on winning titles but is also mindful of the legacy he wants to leave behind. When asked what kind of champion he aspires to be in the eyes of the public, the Italian star had a great response.
Jannik Sinner on the Kind of Champion He Wants to be
“I want to be just a humble person, to be honest. I always remind myself where I’m from and I’m from a small house in a small village with an amazing family. And I believe we are people who are very good at what we do and so yeah we are automatically also an inspiration for younger people, but that’s it, no? We are not changing the world, so why change ourselves with success?” said Sinner.
Sinner’s journey is still unfolding at the age of 23. But his perspective on accomplishment extends beyond statistics. He wants to be a champion who is known not only for his accomplishments but also for his character. I like how he acknowledges his role and platform as an influence on young people in the way he conducts himself as an athlete.
Sinner has the innate humility of someone who’s grown up in a family of people working in hospitality/services as well as his exposure to athletes throughout his youth (mostly skiing). All these things make Sinner who he is, a young man who appears to keep his head cool and his demeanour steady, whether he’s in his parents’ house in a small village or among thousands of people yelling his name. His desire to always have his head on his shoulders and maintain perspective on what he’s doing in the broader scheme of things is part of the secret to his consistent mentality.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
