Jannik Sinner on Being Called ‘Robot’ Without Emotions: “Sometimes There is a Storm in My Head”

The Italian Open is now done and dusted, and Jannik Sinner, after breaking quite a few records with his win over Casper Ruud in the final, will soon be gearing up for the French Open. He recently sat for an interview with L’Equipe, during which he talked about why people label him as “robot”.

Sinner rarely shows emotions while on court. He enters the court and wins quickly, and this continues in almost every tournament. Well, he is on a 29-match winning streak, starting from the Indian Wells Masters. The 24-year-old clinched the Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Masters, Madrid Open, and the Italian Open.

And for his razor-sharp focus, emotionless face, and consistency on the tour, he is either being called a robot or an AI.

I have the image of a player without emotions. But that’s because I’m very focused on what I have to do. It doesn’t mean I don’t feel anything. Sometimes there is a storm in my head, but I try not to show it to my opponents…That’s the difference. Everyone has moments like that, but in matches, you have to protect yourself.

Jannik Sinner said

In the Masters 1000s, Sinner is on a 34-match winning streak, breaking Novak Djokovic‘s previous all-time record (31). He last lost a match at this level at the 2025 Paris Masters.

People call it being a robot. I don’t see it as negative. I try to be as precise as possible, to execute the right shot at the right moment. That requires physical and mental preparation. That’s why I train.

Jannik Sinner added

At the French Open, Sinner will be hoping to become the seventh man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. The Italian ace lost to arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz in the final last year.

Jannik Sinner on what he has learned from his parents

Jannik Sinner‘s parents were at his box during the Italian Open final. They don’t often travel to tournaments with him, though he wishes they could accompany him more.

But he understands that they want to live a “normal” life in South Tyrol and spend as much time as possible with his grandparents. During that aforementioned interview with L’Equipe, the four-time Grand Slam champion talked about what he has learned from his parents.

No matter what happened at [their] restaurant, no matter how difficult it was, they always had a smile on their face when they came home. It was impossible to tell if they’d had a good or a bad day, and that’s the mindset I try to have today. […] When I step off the court, I become a normal person again, and I try to be happy with what I have. Living in the moment, without looking too much back or ahead, while doing my best: that’s what I learned from my parents.

While Sinner remains ice cool while playing, his mom, Siglinde Sinner, is a bundle of emotions, and the World No.1 even once joked that she causes him problems if he looks toward her. Siglinde, in fact, often ends up leaving the player’s box when she sees Sinner struggling.

She left the court when Sinner was struggling during the semifinal against Daniil Medvedev in the Rome event, but stayed throughout the final, to the surprise of her son. Sinner threw up mid-match and also appeared to receive treatment for cramps, which Medvedev did not like and complained to the umpire because timeouts for cramps are not allowed.

The French Open is set to start on May 24th. Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz won’t be playing due to his wrist injury.

Also read: Adriano Panatta Reveals the One Record Jannik Sinner Will Never be Able to Break