Luciano Darderi Thinks Introverted Jannik Sinner is ‘Very Funny’ Inside Locker Room: “He’s Not What He Seems”

Jannik Sinner will be chasing his eighth ATP Masters 1000 title at the Indian Wells Masters.

Luciano Darderi Thinks Introverted Jannik Sinner is ‘Very Funny’ Inside Locker Room: “He’s Not What He Seems”

Luciano Darderi, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis, Jannik Sinner HQ)

In Short
  • Jannik Sinner is returning to the Indian Wells Masters after missing last year due to a doping ban.
  • Luciano Darderi describes Sinner as friendly and funny, contrasting his introverted public persona.
  • Darderi acknowledges Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the top players, calling them "untouchables" in the current tennis landscape.

The Indian Wells Masters is around the corner. Many top players will finally be seen in action, including World No.2 Jannik Sinner, who had skipped the tournament last year because of his three-month doping ban. Sinner was last seen in action at the Qatar Open, where Jakub Mensik knocked him out in the quarterfinals.

The four-time Grand Slam champion last won a title at the 2025 ATP Finals last year by defeating Carlos Alcaraz. This season, he has yet to make the finals. At the Australian Open, Sinner fell in five sets in the semifinals against eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic.

Sinner, considered an introvert thanks to his stoic demeanor off the court as well as while competing, has also developed a bit of a reputation for being boring, but his compatriot Luciano Darderi is not of the same opinion. During his interview with CLAY, Darderi shed light on Sinner’s off-court personality.

He’s friendly, he’s not what he seems. He’s a good guy, good family, very calm, he jokes and everything. Yes, obviously, when we’re playing or training, he’s focused. Once we trained in Dubai, and for two hours he didn’t say a word. But I think that’s professional, not personal. Inside the locker room, he’s very funny. Jannik is a good person.

While Sinner is chasing his first title of the season, Darderi has already made two finals and clinched one trophy. At the Chile Open, he defeated Yannick Hanfmann, while at the Argentina Open, he lost to Francisco Cerundolo. Last year, Darderi made three finals, winning all. But he has yet to win a title above the ATP 250 level.

Luciano Darderi calls Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz untouchable

Darderi went against Jannik Sinner for the first time in this year’s Australian Open fourth round and lost it. Against Carlos Alcaraz as well, Darderi lost his lone meeting in the third round of last year’s US Open. During that aforementioned interview with CLAY, Darderi, like several other opponents, said Sinner and Alcaraz are a cut above everyone else.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ, Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

Sinner and Alcaraz are a little above everyone else… a little, quite a lot! Right now, those two are the untouchables. Sinner lost to Mensik — the only match in two or three years to someone not named Alcaraz or Djokovic. That shows you the level they have. In that match, I was very nervous at the start, then I relaxed and played very well. In the third set, I had a chance to take it to a decider, I had five break points, I was up 2–0 in the tiebreak… You realize they do give you small chances, but if you waste them, you lose.

The Indian Wells Masters, also the season’s first ATP 1000 event, is scheduled to start on March 4. Sinner has yet to make the finals, losing twice in the semifinal stage (in 2023 and 2024). Alcaraz is a two-time champion in the first Sunshine Doubles event, winning in 2023 and 2024 by defeating Daniil Medvedev both times. Last year, he lost to eventual champion Jack Draper in the semifinals, failing to complete the three-peat.

Alcaraz and Sinner have so far won eight and seven titles in the ATP 1000 level, respectively. The last time the Spaniard won a title at this level was at the 2025 Cincinnati Masters after receiving a walkover from Sinner.

The last time the South Tyrol native won a title at this level was at the 2025 Paris Masters by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime. Darderi made his Indian Wells debut last year and lost to Hugo Gaston in the first round.

Also read: Marta Kostyuk Shares Emotional Reaction on Disqualification of Her Compatriot at the Winter Olympics