Jannik Sinner’s coach has revealed that the world No.1 tennis star would be keen to switch sports and take up something way more dangerous. Sinner is returning from a three-month suspension at this week’s Italian Open, his home tournament. While he has missed the tennis court, he wouldn’t say no to the opportunity to try his hand at something else.
Sinner is a keen Formula One fan and even signed a partnership deal to become a ‘Friend of F1’. While he has cemented himself as the best tennis player in the world, the Italian’s coach believes he could eventually swap his racket for a life on the racetrack.
One of the biggest stories at the Foro Italico this week is Sinner’s comeback. The three-time Major winner is back in action after serving a three-month ban as part of a case-resolution agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
While the tennis world waits to see how Sinner will fare when he plays his first match since winning the Australian Open, the world No. 1 seems to have one eye on another sport.
Ahead of his opening match on Saturday, Sinner’s coach Simone Vagnozzi appeared on Sky Sports Italy and revealed that his protege was “crazy” about F1, his obsession going so far that he’d want to become a driver himself.
“People have no idea how competitive Jannik is at everything, from cards to go-karts… at everything. If we’re playing tennis and I score a point, he looks at me with resentment,” Vagnozzi said.
“You have no idea how much he’d like to be a Formula One driver, he’s really crazy about the sport, it’s his dream! Be careful, he might try it sooner or later at the end of his tennis career.”
For now, Sinner will be firmly focused on his comeback match in Rome. The 23-year-old has low expectations for his first tournament back, and Vagnozzi believes his charge could struggle.
He added: “For a tennis player, when you’re healthy and can’t compete, it’s the hardest thing. Jannik is a competitive animal. Without that, he felt empty. Now he knows he can get back to doing what he loves.
“The first two matches will be crucial to get back into the swing of things. There will be a bit of a struggle, he’ll have to get dirty, sweat, win, maybe not perfectly at first, and slowly find his rhythm again.”
There was another consequence of Sinner’s recent ban – he couldn’t attend other sporting events, meaning no trips to F1 races.
“The toughest part was that in the beginning I couldn’t watch any other sport really, in real life,” the world No. 1 said after arriving in Rome.
“I don’t know how many know this but watching a simple football match in a stadium, I couldn’t go there to watch it.
“I wanted to support my friends in cycling or motorsport – I couldn’t go there.”