“A hell of an emotion,” Jannik Sinner’s Halle Open title win made extra special by father’s impromptu visit

Jannik Sinner broke his duck on grass when he clinched the Halle Open title, beating Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets in the final.

“A hell of an emotion,” Jannik Sinner’s Halle Open title win made extra special by father’s impromptu visit

Jannik Sinner (Image via Imago)

Italian tennis ace Jannik Sinner has continued his fine form this year by clinching the title in Halle. He beat Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets to win his first title on grass this season. It was by no means an easy win for the Sinner as he had to come through tiebreaks in both sets to emerge victorious in the German city.

Sinner showed fighting spirit in Halle, reaching the final despite dropping a set in each of his first three matches at the ATP 500 tournament. Even in the semifinal, the reigning Australian Open champion was pushed to the edge by Zhizhen Zhang, where he had come through a tiebreak in the second set to seal the win.

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Sinner’s title win in Halle was made extra special by the presence of his father in the stadium. The 22-year-old later stated that he found out about his father’s plans for the final only a day before the match.

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I didn’t expect my father to come. He called me yesterday after the semifinal, he told me: "I'm coming tomorrow." He got in his car with my uncle, his brother, so he didn't make the trip alone. Obviously after my success, I hugged him. I was impressed, he doesn’t usually come. It was another new emotion, a hell of an emotion.
Jannik Sinner told Italian media.

Jannik Sinner hopes to carry momentum into Wimbledon 2024

While the win in Halle was important for Jannik Sinner, a much bigger challenge awaits him in London. He will next take part in the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, where he is among the top contenders to lift the title. Although grass has not been the 22-year-old’s favorite, he has been improving his performance on the surface every season.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Via Imago)

Having made it to the semifinals at Wimbledon last season, Sinner is looking to go even further this time around. The World No. 1 has made a good start to the grass-court swing this year and remains confident heading to London.

I’m just looking forward to it. Last year I made [the] semis, I played some good tennis. So, let's see what's coming this year. I’m more confident for sure. And on this surface, obviously the grass might be a bit different from here and Wimbledon. But I have one week now to prepare [for] it, so hopefully it's going to be a good tournament.
Jannik Sinner said of his expectation from Wimbledon. (H/T: ATP Tour)

Sinner has a career win index of 0.68 on grass, his worst across all surfaces. With the title win in Halle under his belt, he will be eager to clinch his second career Major next month.

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