As Jannik Sinner prepares to return to professional tennis after a highly publicized break, coach Simone Vagnozzi has made known the emotional and psychological effects the time off has had on the Italian sensation.
“For a tennis player, when you’re healthy and can’t play, it’s the toughest thing,” Vagnozzi told an open interview.
Jannik Sinner, ranked now among the world’s best players, was kept out by injury—a test of his identity as a competitor. “Jannik is a competitive animal… without that, he felt empty,” Vagnozzi continued.
Now set for a comeback, Sinner is ready to rediscover his rhythm. “The first two matches will be important to get back in the swing of it,” Vagnozzi said. “There’ll be a little bit of struggle… he’ll have to get dirty, sweat, win-perhaps not so well at first-but he’ll gradually rediscover his rhythm.”
In the words of Vagnozzi, Sinner’s competitiveness surpasses the baseline.”No one realizes how competitive Jannik is in everything, from cards to go-karts,” he disclosed. “If we’re playing tennis and I win a point, he glares at me.
Even in other sports is that persistent hunger. “You have no idea how much he’d love to be a Formula 1 driver,” Vagnozzi chuckled. “He’s a big fan of the sport—is his dream! Watch out, he may do it sooner or later at the end of his tennis career.”
As Sinner returns to the court, fans and commentators will be keenly observing how soon he will be able to get back to his best. But whatever happens in the short-term, one thing is sure: his fighting spirit remains intact.
Whether fighting for Grand Slam titles or daydreaming of an F1 career, Jannik Sinner continues to represent the uncompromising chase for excellence.
