On September 7, 2025, Jannik Sinner lost the US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, and surprisingly decisively. In the subsequent victory ceremony, Jannik Sinner once again demonstrated true class. He showed why he is one of the new tennis giants. On the one hand, in this bitter defeat, he displayed fairness and the utmost respect for his opponent; on the other hand, he was already mentally analyzing the loss to see how he could improve himself and his game. The guy is ambitious to the core, constantly striving to learn and improve. All of this, combined with the down-to-earth attitude instilled in him by his upbringing, makes him an exceptional athlete. Much of this can be understood even better after reading the book "Sinner - The Road to World Stardom" by authors Enzo Anderloni, Michelangelo Dell'Edera, and Alessandro Mastroluca. This book is a biography of a special kind : it delves deep into the player's early days in the sport and follows the South Tyrolean through various stages of his still young career. And it reveals what Nadal saw in him from the very beginning: "He has everything it takes to be one of the best players of the new generation." We'll introduce the book to you in more detail – enjoy!
The book begins in the South Tyrolean Dolomites, in the mountain village of Sexten, where little Jannik Sinner was born in 2001 and grew up as the son of a "perfectly ordinary" family. The book portrays this normal, loving, and trusting family environment—something that has shaped and defined Jannik throughout his development to this day. He started playing tennis at almost four years old with a friend who was a tennis coach. He practically came with his skis at birth, so young Jannik spent most of his winters on the slopes. And he was very successful, as would become clear over the years. At the age of seven, he became the Italian skiing champion.
The lively boy, the "little red devil," was always on the go. Always moving – no matter what, including football. The authors' analytical perspective, which provides fascinating insights and background information throughout the book, reveals that this multidisciplinary approach was crucial for the development of Sinner's exceptional abilities.
Sinner played his very first official tennis match in 2009, and from then on, his successful journey began. The book meticulously traces the further development of this exceptional talent and, at every stage, highlights the South Tyrolean's very special abilities, which were already evident in his childhood: a deep desire to learn, to improve himself, to love the game, to be a constant and hard worker, and to demonstrate complete concentration and determination in every training session.
In 2013, he finally decided to pursue tennis, and from then on, things really took off: selection teams, regular training. His move to the Piatti Tennis Academy in the summer of 2015, and the associated relocation from his hometown, marked the beginning of a new and important chapter. His tournament participation increased significantly over the years, and his travel radius grew ever larger. However, his rise wasn't immediately rapid and consistent. Nevertheless, the team around him had a plan, which Jannik followed meticulously, and he handled defeats well. In fact, he grew from them.
Reaching the number one spot in the world rankings in 2024 marked the pinnacle of the South Tyrolean's career to date. Many tournament and Grand Slam victories are touched upon in the book, but the focus increasingly shifts to the "bigger picture," to the Sinner system. The question of what exactly defines Jannik Sinner, why he became who he is today – this is meticulously explored in the book.
The book includes some very interesting analytical sections that focus on this aspect and delve into it in depth. The Italian talent development system is also presented, and the reader gains at least a basic understanding of why there are currently so many Italian tennis stars besides Jannik Sinner. Finally, at the end of the book, you'll find all of the South Tyrolean's official tournament matches, from his first U10 match to his entry into the Top 100 and his victory at the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals. Many of the names will be very familiar to us tennis fans!
Not your typical "normal" biography. Instead, this book delves quite deeply into the world of tennis. Especially during Jannik Sinner's early years, numerous coaches, officials, and mentors are interviewed about their experiences with him and what they noticed. All of this is truly fascinating and provides valuable insight into how the top star Jannik Sinner presents himself today.
Thanks to the authors' excellent tennis expertise, the reader is immersed in the (Italian) tennis scene. Some readers might find the sometimes very detailed descriptions of individual tournaments, with their many names of opponents and coaches, a bit tedious. Personally, I found this very interesting, as this is often precisely what isn't told. The book delves into the details, exploring what exactly tipped the scales in favor of winning a match, or, more importantly, what contributed to the overall development of Jannik Sinner as a player and person.
Therefore, a highly recommended read for anyone who loves a "deep dive" into the real tennis scene!
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