At an altitude of 1,540 meters and amidst heavy snowfall, the Rifugio Fondovalle in the Sesto Dolomites surprises its visitors with its unique decor. Instead of showcasing photos of mountaineers or winter sports athletes, the walls of the refuge feature pictures of a tennis player. This unconventional choice of decoration is due to the fact that the owner and cook of the refuge, Hanspeter Sinner, and the administrator of the dining room, Siglinde Sinner, are the parents of Jannik Sinner – the recent winner of the Australian Open.

This refuge embodies the simplicity and rawness of life in the mountains, which perhaps explains Jannik Sinner’s grounded character. Unlike the typical Italian stereotype, he is known for his calm and composed demeanor, rarely showing much emotion on the court. This was evident during the trophy ceremony at the Rod Laver Arena, where it was difficult to gauge his level of excitement or lack thereof after his comeback victory against Daniil Medvedev.

In a heartfelt message, Sinner expressed his gratitude towards his parents, emphasizing the freedom they provided him throughout his childhood. He acknowledged that they never pressured him to choose tennis and always allowed him to explore other sports. This sense of freedom and support has shaped his relationship with tennis.

Interestingly, skiing was Sinner’s main sport until the age of 12. He excelled in the discipline, becoming the Italian champion in giant slalom for the under-8 category and finishing as the runner-up in the under-12 category. It was only during the summer months, while waiting for the snow to return, that he picked up a tennis racket. Despite not closely following the ATP circuit until the age of 12 or 13, Sinner eventually dedicated himself fully to tennis.

At 13 years old, with the support of his parents, Sinner left the mountains behind and settled at the Piatti Tennis Center in Bordighera. It was there that he embarked on a linear progression, learning and training alongside renowned players like Novak Djokovic and Richard Gasquet. His development as a professional player culminated in his recent victory at the Australian Open, solidifying his status as one of the rising stars of the new generation of tennis.

Sinner’s success has not gone unnoticed by his fellow young player, Carlos Alcaraz. The two players have established a close friendship since their early encounters on the court. Despite Sinner holding a slight edge with a 4-3 win-loss record in their professional matchups, both players recognize that their rivalry is just beginning. With the Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer reaching the twilight of their careers, Sinner and Alcaraz are poised to fill the void as the future stars of the sport.