Jannik Sinner Takes a Break After Back-to-Back Australian Open Titles
Following his second consecutive Australian Open victory, Jannik Sinner returned to Italy for a well-deserved break. The world No. 1 needed time to recharge after an unstoppable run in Melbourne, where he reaffirmed his dominance on hard courts.
In the final, Sinner dismantled world No. 2 Alexander Zverev in straight sets, never facing a single break point. The German, vying for his first Grand Slam title, was simply outclassed by the 23-year-old Italian.
The day after his triumph, Sinner announced his withdrawal from the Rotterdam Open, where he was the defending champion. Instead, he has opted to play only the ATP 500 event in Doha this month, prioritizing rest and peak fitness before returning to competition.
Panatta Defends Sinner Amid Criticism Over Presidential Absence
Sinner’s decision to skip a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella—where the Italian Davis Cup team was honored—sparked debate. While he cited the need to recover from his lengthy trip to Australia, he was later spotted skiing with children in Val Pusteria, fueling criticism from some fans and insiders.
However, Italian tennis legend Adriano Panatta came to Sinner’s defense on the latest episode of La Domenica Sportiva:
“I would have gone to see Sergio Mattarella. However, I believe this was a decision made with his team to maintain the ‘bubble’ that has allowed him to dominate. For him, rest, training, and skiing were more important than meeting the President.
I think it was a mistake, but that’s just how things are now. Last year, he visited the Quirinale after winning the Davis Cup, so I wouldn’t criticize him too much for this choice.”
Despite the controversy, Sinner remains laser-focused on his career, ensuring he stays in peak condition for the challenges ahead.
