Jannik Sinner Reveals Motivation Behind Building A Lasting Legacy in Tennis

Jannik Sinner aims to win his fifth Grand Slam on tour at the Wimbledon Championships, which kicks off on Monday (June 29). But more than earning titles on tour, the Italian star is seeking to build an eternal legacy in the sport, just like several tennis legends, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

The major way of building a legacy is by breaking records and creating history on tour, which is what Sinner has been doing since 2024. With four major titles to his name already, he’s now the Italian player with the most Grand Slams in the Open Era. In May, he became the first player to win six consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles.

The World No.1 has reigned supreme on tour this season, particularly in the absence of his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner won five consecutive ATP tour-level titles, beginning from March at the Indian Wells Open to the Italian Open. During that process, he dropped just three sets, which is mind-blowing.

In 2024, he won eight tour-level titles, last season, he claimed six including two Grand Slams. With just halfway through this season, he has already won five titles and he’s on course to break his 2024 record, should he win four more titles this season. That will make him the first man from his country to win that many championships.

He’s the defending champion of Wimbledon and the only Italian man to have won the championship. Sinner is the favorite to win the grass-court major title but he’s not only aiming to win it but also to do everything he can to become the best player he can on tour and do what makes him happy in the sport:

I don’t play for records. I play for myself. I like being the best, but the only thing I want to achieve is that, when I finish my career, I can say that I did absolutely everything possible to become the best player I could be. I would be very happy. After tennis, there will be a new chapter. Knowing myself, it probably won’t be related to this sport. I would like to do different things.

Sinner has set a huge standard for himself, which he has done well to achieve on several occasions. At Wimbledon, the goal is to defend the championship, but the last time he defended a Grand Slam was in January 2025, winning the Australian Open for the second consecutive year. Will he be able to produce that same brilliance at the All England Club? Only time will tell.

Jannik Sinner opens up about his rivalry with Carlos on tour

Jannik Sinner would have won at least 10 tour-level titles last season if he hadn’t had a rival like Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz was at the peak of his form from April to September last season, beating Sinner four times in their five meetings on the court. Alcaraz won eight titles last year and finished as year-end No.1.

Alcaraz and Sinner have shared a unique rivalry on tour since 2024. Both players competed for big titles, particularly Grand Slams for over two years but maintained a cordial relationship despite being arch-rivals. During the aforementioned press conference, Sinner admitted that despite being rivals, they are also friends on tour:

Carlos is a friend, but also a rival. I think rivalries can also turn into good friendships. There are healthy rivalries, and I believe we have one. At some point, someone else will emerge. I know things change very quickly. I try to focus solely on doing my job and controlling what depends on me.

Alcaraz will not participate in this year’s Wimbledon Championships due to a wrist injury. The Spaniard suffered the injury during his opening match at the Barcelona Open in April. There’s no date for his return to tour competitions, but he’s expected to play at the US Open. Meanwhile, Sinner will open his account at SW19 against Miomir Kecmanović.

Also Read: Joao Fonseca Opens Up on the Characteristics of Rafael Nadal that Inspired His Career