Always Roger Federer”- Jannik Sinner picks Swiss as “biggest inspiration” alongside Rafael Nadal; points out qualities of legends that influenced him
Jannik Sinner recently revealed Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to be his inspirations growing up.
Sinner won his maiden Grand Slam trophy at the 2024 Australian Open.
In doing so, he became only the second player outside the Big 3 (Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic) to win the title in Melbourne in the last 10 years.
The Italian also became the youngest men’s player to lift the Australian Open trophy since Djokovic in 2008.
A day after his victory, Jannik Sinner attended the official champion’s photocall, where he interacted with a young hopeful.
When the youngster asked him about his “biggest inspiration” growing up, the Italian said that he idolized Roger Federer.
He explained that it was the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s mannerisms on and off the court that impressed him the most.
“When I was younger, I think the biggest inspiration was always Roger Federer because of the way he behaves on the courts, the way he treats people off the court,” Sinner said.
The 22-year-old then added that he was also influenced by 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal’s fighting spirit.
“I would say the mix of him and Rafa because, you know, also the fighting spirit of Rafa,” Sinner added. “Ya, they are great sportsmen. But there are so many.”
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