Jannik Sinner: “I Love to Sleep” and the Discipline Behind the Tennis Champion

5 days ago
3 min read

As part of Miami Living’s annual tennis interview series, we spoke with Jannik Sinner in a city that has become central to his rise. From multiple finals appearances to a breakthrough championship run, Miami has played a defining role in his career. Here, the world No. 1 reflects on his early beginnings, his disciplined approach to recovery, and why the Miami Open stands out as one of the most meaningful tournaments on the tour at the Miami Open.

BY MARKIN ABRAS | PHOTOS JANNIK SINNER/INSTAGRAM

Jannik Sinner was born in San Candido, Italy, a small town in the South Tyrol region near the Austrian border. His parents, Johann Sinner and Siglinde Sinner, worked at a ski lodge, and his early years were divided between school, skiing, and tennis. A talented junior skier, he was one of the best in his age group in Italy before choosing tennis as his full focus. At 13, he left home and moved to Bordighera to train under coach Riccardo Piatti, beginning a path that would quickly separate him from his peers.

Despite his rapid rise, his life away from the court has remained simple. He describes it plainly, saying, “I like to sleep in if I have the time. This is something I really like. I do play PlayStation. I like to go to good restaurants. And, you know, it’s actually a very, very normal life.”

His progression into the professional ranks was immediate. After turning pro in 2018, he gained attention with his composure and shot-making, and in 2019 he won the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, becoming the youngest Italian to win the event. He followed with his first ATP title at the Sofia Open in 2020 and continued building consistency at the highest level.

Recovery and routine became essential as his schedule intensified. “The most important thing is to switch off mentally to sleep well,” he says. “Sleeping is the best recovery we can have. So for me, sleep is maybe the most important recovery. And usually I never struggle. I love to sleep.” That discipline supported his breakthrough at the Grand Slam level, including his victory at the Australian Open in 2024, where he defeated Daniil Medvedev to win his first major title. Later that season, he also won the ATP Finals in Turin and helped Italy capture the Davis Cup, milestones that confirmed his position among the top players in the world.

Miami has been one of the most important stops in his career. He reached the final of the Miami Open in 2021 and again in 2023 before winning the title in 2024 with a victory over Grigor Dimitrov. His connection to the city is both professional and personal. “On the court, I usually always played very well there, making three finals and having great, great memories of that court,” he says. “I feel like it’s a beautiful place, maybe my favorite place in the U.S. You have everything. You have the beach, you have the city. It’s a very, very nice place.”

The physical demands of the tournament require careful preparation, especially in the heat and humidity. “You need to drink, obviously, a lot of water. I’m eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, because there is a lot of humidity and you lose a lot of water. So it’s really important to be as hydrated as possible.”

His victory at the Miami Open in 2024 remains his best result at the tournament.

Jannik Sinner stats:

Age: 24 (16 August 2001)

Birth place: San Candido, Italy

Career high: World No. 1

Singles titles: 24

Miami Open Best: Champion in 2024

Prize Money: US$ 57,467,301

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