Jannik Sinner Explains Heartwarming Gesture for Mascot Kid Before Rome Final: “It’s a Moment That Brings Me Joy”

Jannik Sinner won the hearts of the fans on social media with an adorable gesture in the Italian Open final. The 24-year-old clinched a straight-set win over Casper Ruud to become the youngest man to complete the Career Golden Masters.

Sinner, also the second man to achieve this feat after Novak Djokovic, slowed down while walking with the mascot kid. The video didn’t take much time to go viral, with fans praising him for his humility and his heartwarming gesture for the kid.

You know, sometimes us tennis players—it might sound ugly to say—, but we don’t realize how incredibly fortunate we are. Here we’ve seen little kids with their [health] problems, and I feel so happy about those small gestures. It shifts your perspective a bit. I’m happy to play, to put on a show for so many people, with the stadium packed—there’s no better place to play. But yeah, those are moments that really touch me, because you have this real, concrete connection with the kids.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

Luciano Darderi found himself on the receiving end of criticism when he inadvertently ignored a young mascot before his semifinal match against Ruud. Darderi later apologized.

Aplaudo que el torneo de Roma haga esta iniciativa.

🗣️ Sinner: “Los tenistas no nos damos cuenta de lo afortunados que somos, porque estos niños tienen problemas y, sin embargo, están tan felices con gestos realmente pequeños y eso cambia tu perspectiva” pic.twitter.com/Tcyhs9aJWq

— José Morón (@jmgmoron) May 17, 2026

Today, for example, with that boy—he was really small, so I had to walk a bit slower, but it was great. It’s a moment that brings me joy, and I’ll say it again: they’re small gestures that they’ll remember forever, and for us, it costs nothing, and it makes us feel good too. Every week, there were moments that were really, really beautiful.

Jannik Sinner added

Sinner has become the second man, after Rafael Nadal, to win the three Masters 1000s on clay in the same season. He is now on a 34-match winning streak in Masters 1000s.

Jannik Sinner’s next goal is to win the French Open

Now that the Rome Masters is done and dusted, Jannik Sinner will be focusing on the French Open. He finished as the runner-up in Paris last year, losing to Carlos Alcaraz after squandering a two-set lead and three match points.

We don’t have much time to realize what we are doing. My goal remains Paris. What I have achieved so far is incredible, but mentally I know I have to keep doing things right. It’s important to rest but also to stay fit.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference

Sinner will be chasing the Career Grand Slam in Paris, and if he wins, he will become the seventh man to achieve this feat, as well as the first man since Alcaraz (this year’s Australian Open) to achieve this.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion will not be chasing a three-peat in Paris because he injured his wrist during the Barcelona Open. Sinner reclaimed his No.1 ranking from Alcaraz after defeating him in the Monte Carlo final.

The French Open is set to start on May 24th. In this year’s Australian Open, Sinner was eliminated in the semifinals in straight sets by eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic.

Before winning in Rome, Sinner breezed past Alexander Zverev in the Madrid Open final. Prior to the clay swing, Sinner completed the Sunshine Double by defeating Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells and Jiri Lehecka in Miami.

The last time Sinner lost a match was in the quarterfinals of this year’s Qatar Open at the hands of Jakub Mensik. The last time he lost a Masters 1000 match was in the third round of the Shanghai Masters. Sinner threw in the towel during his match against Tallon Griekspoor due to cramps.

Also read: Alexander Bublik Claims Failed Singles Players Compete in Doubles: “It’s Not Tennis”