Situated at an altitude of 1,540 meters, surrounded by half a meter of snow in the beautiful Sesto Dolomites, lies the Rifugio Fondovalle. This refuge surprises its visitors not only with its delicious cuisine but also with its unique decoration. Instead of typical mountain photos, you will find pictures of a tennis player adorning the walls. It may seem out of place, but there is a fascinating explanation. The owner and chef of the refuge is Hanspeter Sinner, while the administrator and manager of the dining room is Siglinde Sinner. These proud parents are the reason why you will see photos of their son, Jannik Sinner, a rising star in the tennis world and recently crowned the winner of the Australian Open.

The contrast between the serenity of the shelter and the intensity of professional tennis perfectly embodies Jannik Sinner’s character. Unlike the expressive and animated Italian stereotype, Jannik is known for his composed and calm demeanor. Even during the trophy ceremony at the Rod Laver Arena, it was difficult to gauge his level of excitement. After an incredible comeback from being two sets down against Daniil Medvedev, winning with a score of 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, and 6-3, Jannik remained stoic.

In his heartfelt message after the victory, Jannik expressed his gratitude towards his parents and highlighted the freedom they gave him to pursue his dreams. He wished for all children to have such supportive parents who allowed him to choose his own path. This freedom was evident in Jannik’s journey with tennis.

Discovering Tennis at 13

Jannik’s sporting prowess initially lay in skiing, becoming an Italian champion in giant slalom at a young age. Tennis was merely a summer pastime for him while waiting for the snow to return. When asked about his tennis idols, he now looks up to Roger Federer. But interestingly, his childhood hero was the skier Bode Miller, and he took some time before fully immersing himself in the world of professional tennis. Jannik admitted that he didn’t watch many tennis games until he was around 12 or 13 years old. He only saw a few matches featuring Andreas Seppi, who hails from the same region of Italy. However, once Jannik decided to commit fully to tennis, he dedicated himself like no other. He chose tennis because he loved playing, recognizing that in tennis, you can fail and still come back to win, unlike skiing, where a single mistake can be costly.

With the support of his parents, Jannik left the mountains behind at the age of 13 and moved to the Piatti Tennis Center in Bordighera, located on the Italian Riviera. It was there that his tennis journey truly began, sharing the training grounds with renowned players like Novak Djokovic and Richard Gasquet. From there, Jannik’s progress skyrocketed, culminating in his momentous victory at the Australian Open this year.

At just 22 years old, Jannik Sinner’s triumph at the Australian Open showcases his readiness to compete and succeed in more major tournaments. With the tennis world transitioning from the era dominated by the Big Three (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer), Jannik stands alongside Carlos Alcaraz as the new faces of the sport. A testament to their friendship, Alcaraz congratulated Jannik, expressing that he deserves the victory more than anyone.

Jannik and Carlos Alcaraz first crossed paths on the court when Jannik was 17 and Carlos was 15. Following Carlos’ unexpected victory in Villena in the Ferrero Challenger, a bond formed between them. As professionals, they have faced each other seven times, with Jannik holding a slight edge of 4-3 in their head-to-head battles. However, their rivalry is far from over. The future holds many more exciting encounters between these two rising stars. Jannik Sinner, the calm Grand Slam champion who emerged from the shelter, and Carlos Alcaraz have each other’s back on this incredible tennis journey.