Jannik Sinner Gets Candid About Family Support Amid His Brilliant Start at the Vienna Open

Jannik Sinner’s 2025 season continues to unfold like a masterclass in focus and growth. Fresh off a dominant start at the Vienna Open, the Italian star has once again shown why he’s one of the brightest talents on the ATP Tour. But as he steps into another crucial phase of his career, Sinner is quick to point out that his success isn’t a solo journey—it’s deeply rooted in the quiet strength of his family.
Sinner took down Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-0, 6-2 in just 58 minutes in the R32 of the 2025 Vienna Open. With this win, Sinner has now extended his indoor-hard-court winning streak to 17 matches. He hasn’t lost a match indoors since the Davis Cup 2023. The world number 2 will now face his compatriot, Flavio Cobolli, in the R16. But before entering that contest, Sinner opened up about the biggest supporters in his life. He emphasized how his family’s constant encouragement helps him navigate the pressure of the professional circuit.
His family was there in the stands in Vienna this time, watching him play. During the post-match interview, when Jannik Sinner was asked about the reactions of his family members while he’s on the court, he revealed, “My mom usually gets nervous watching. I don’t know if she was here in the stands or not. Having my dad in the box, it’s great. Also, my brother is not here. But it’s fine. Maybe he comes to Turin. We are just a very normal family. When I play outside when they are not there watching, my dad is still watching the matches at home. I know he’s watching. I try to get used to it.”
Further on, he went on to add, “They also know how many sacrifices I’ve made and I continue to do… the journey also has to be fun. It’s a great atmosphere off the court if I have the people around me, the loved ones. I feel much lighter on court.”
Talking about his biggest supporters, Sinner’s rumored girlfriend, Laila Hasanovic, also made her first appearance with his parents. She was seen cheering for Sinner from the stands.
But now, shifting our focus to his family, well, Sinner grew up in Innichen, South Tyrol, a mountainous region in northern Italy. His parents, Johann and Siglinde, worked long hours at the Talschlusshutte ski lodge. His father worked as a chef over there, while his mother was a waitress at the same lodge. His older brother, Marc, was adopted in 1998, and he shares a very close bond with Jannik.
At the age of 14, Jannik Sinner had to move away from home to train under the tutelage of renowned coach Riccardo Piatti. In one instance, while sharing his thoughts about parting ways with his close ones at that time, Sinner revealed, “I think for me [it] was tough, but for the parents to leave their son [who was] 14 years old, it's also not easy. They always gave me [what I needed]; they never put pressure on myself, which for me is maybe the key why I'm here today. I'm a quite relaxed man who just enjoys to play tennis.”
Behind the calm exterior that fans see during matches lies a player who draws immense motivation from home. From his parents’ early sacrifices to the continued moral support that follows him across tournaments, Sinner’s story reflects a deep appreciation for the people who shaped his journey. Talking about appreciating his biggest supporters, when Sinner won his first Grand Slam title (2024 AO), he didn’t keep the trophy. Instead, he gave it to his parents.
He also thanked his parents after tasting his first success at the major stage by saying, “I wish that everyone could have my parents because they always let me choose whatever I wanted to. Even when I was younger, I also [played] some other sports, and they never put pressure on [me] ... I wish that this freedom is possible for as many young kids as possible. Thank you so much [to] my parents.”
Later that year, we saw Jannik Sinner’s mother in tears when her son ended the season as the world number one. Revisiting that moment, Sinner said, “Only they know from my early stages, when I was around 13, how many sacrifices we made as a family also. We would have never thought that we’d have this [year-end World No. 1 trophy] at home at some point.”
Even this year, from French Open heartbreak to Wimbledon glory, we saw his mother showcasing her emotions on multiple occasions. After losing the French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz by 6-4, 7-6(4), 4-6, 6(3)-7, and 6(2)-7, Sinner confessed to losing sleep. During this time, he revealed how his family members stood beside him and helped him regain confidence before Wimbledon. At Wimbledon, his entire family was there to witness history.
Speaking about that memorable moment, he said, “My mom arrived in London that same morning just to watch the final, and that already meant a lot to me. She got emotional seeing her son play on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, and I was thrilled to see them in the box. Of course, there was a lot of tension; my mom gets a bit anxious, but that’s normal—she’s a mom, and parents care deeply about their kids. They usually don’t have much time, so I was happy they were both there.” Sinner said that winning the trophy with his family in the box was a fantastic moment for him.
But now, shifting our focus back to tennis, as the Vienna Open progresses, Jannik Sinner looks determined to carry that balance forward. With eyes set on not just lifting the trophy but also inching closer to the world number one ranking, his biggest strength may lie not in his booming serve or crisp forehand but in the unwavering support of those who’ve been with him since day one.
What did Jannik Sinner say about his 58-minute wrap-up against Daniel Altmaier?
The Vienna Open crowd had braced themselves for a battle. Daniel Altmaier, hungry for redemption after his previous loss to Jannik Sinner, seemed ready to make the Italian pay for past defeats. Before this match, Altmaier said, “I’m always really looking forward to having revenge as soon as possible. I’m that kind of guy who really loves the challenge of revenge, so something like that always gets the best out of me. I’m really looking forward to that match.”
But forget about revenge; unfortunately for the German, he never really looked to put Sinner into much trouble in this quick wrap-up. After securing his quickest victory of the 2025 season, Jannik Sinner said, “I feel like in the first set everything was working very well.”
However, he also mentioned, “On indoor courts, you have to be very careful. If your opponent starts to serve well, it’s very difficult to break. But I’m very happy about today’s performance, starting the tournament in a very positive way, not only gamewise but feeling-wise.”
With this win, he has now taken his record to 29-0 in the opening rounds since the 2023 Cincinnati Open. Next up for him is Cobolli, and Sinner has never faced him before in his career. Who, according to you, will have the last laugh in their first encounter?
Written by
Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.
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