On the eve of the ATP Finals in Turin, Jannik Sinner drew a parallel between himself and Valentino Rossi, between cap and helmet, between tennis and MotoGP. A question of concentration and being able to transform pressure into energy. Here’s why
In the world of tennisas in that of MotoGPconcentration is everything. For Jannik Sinneril hat that he always wears on the pitch is not just an accessory, but a sort of mental shield, a bit like the helmet for pilots. On the eve of Nitto ATP Finals in Turinthe world number one revealed what this simple piece of fabric means to him: “Playing with a cap is very important for me, almost like a helmet for MotoGP riders.” A detail that speaks of isolation and focus, a “barrier” that allows him to remain alone with his tennis, disconnecting everything around him.
Sinner said he also found inspiration in the words of an undisputed motorcycling champion, Valentino Rossi. “In an interview Valentino said that when he lowers his visor for him only the race exists. For me it’s when only tennis starts to exist.” And, just like the “Doctor” of two wheels, Sinner also needs that moment of total immersion, where every other distraction dissolves.
Despite their very different characters, Sinner and Rossi share more than it might seem. Both have become symbols for young people, models of talent and determination. In Turin, Sinner was welcomed with enthusiasm during an event organized at the Nike Store, where hundreds of children queued to receive an autographed cap. Later, on the stage of the Carignano Theatre, he told his fans – many of whom were very young – moments from his life and career anecdotes, focusing on one aspect in particular: pressure.
A theme that, for those who aspire to become champion, is inevitable. And Sinner doesn’t hold back: “When you enter the US Open Central it says ‘Pressure is a privilege’. It’s really like this, because many athletes will never feel what I feel when I play such important matches”. Like Rossi, Sinner also knows how to transform tension into energy. The pressure does not crush him, but exalts him, pushes him to give his best while others, under the same weight, could give in.
For Sinner, however, tennis is also awareness: “In the end I’m not a doctor: if I make a mistake, I don’t hurt anyone.” A thought that allows him to face the game with a rare balance, a detachment that helps him maintain calm in the most difficult moments. And just like a ritual, his preparation on the court is punctuated by precise gestures: a passage of the right foot over the line and the bounces of the ball – seven for the first serve, five for the second. Almost liturgical gestures, which recall the meticulousness of the greatest athletes.
