Jannik Sinner ended his season as World No. 1, but it was a journey filled with ups and downs. He clinched eight titles, including the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati, US Open, Shanghai Masters, and finally the ATP Finals. In the end, he also led Italy to its second consecutive Davis Cup victory. However, during the course of the season, he faced several adversities as well.

Tragedy struck in September when Sinner lost his aunt Margith, who fell ill during his US Open campaign. This loss hit hard, as she had been a significant presence throughout his career. In a post-match press conference at the US Open, Sinner reflected on her influence. He said, “When you are young, you don’t go to practice every day. So I hung around a lot with her, and she’s a very important person in my life.” Sadly, she passed away shortly after Sinner’s US Open victory.

In a recent chat with Esquire, Sinner opened up about facing obstacles on the court, from emotional struggles to physical challenges. When asked if anything affected his focus, he admitted that the loss of his aunt was profound. “When you have a personal problem, it’s not easy to play. Knowing that my Aunt Margith, who did so much for me as a child, was dying made me suffer and certainly affected me,” he said.

Sinner’s heartfelt dedication of the US Open title to his aunt surprised many fans who know him as composed and stoic. But the Italian explained that he spoke from the heart: “The dedication was spontaneous because, after the match, I realized all at once what I was going through.” With a demanding ATP schedule, Sinner struggles to find time for family. “Unfortunately I spend little time with the people I care about.” Yet his support system is vital to maintaining his sanity on the court and if he isn’t around family, he needs people around him who can make him feel good.

Jannik opens up about how he focuses despite the hectic schedule

On November 7, Jannik Sinner spoke at the Lavazza 2025 presentation and discussed his incredible season. He tackled the question on everyone’s mind: how does he make it all look so effortless? “No, I understand you…” Sinner said, emphasizing that there’s always more beneath the surface. “We are not machines. We are people who only seek the best we can do on any given day. There are those who invest more time in training and those who invest less; I invest a lot.” This dedication has propelled him through an intense tour schedule.

Sinner is all about growth. Although he skipped the Paris Masters due to health concerns, he quickly returned to practice with Taylor Fritz ahead of the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals. “To do this, I need people around me who help me feel good,” he shared, highlighting his support system. Later in a chat with Vogue, Sinner revealed that winning the Australian Open against Daniil Medvedev on January 28 was his standout moment of the season. That thrilling match ended with a score of 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3—his first Grand Slam title! Reflecting on that moment, he said, “My first big title, in Australia, my first Grand Slam. Why? Because… because I won.”

While many remember his epic celebration after defeating Medvedev, Sinner treasures seeing his parents’ happiness even more. “Just seeing them happy and spending some time with them. I don’t have so much time with my parents, so it was a very nice moment,” he said. As we look ahead to the 2025 season, expectations are sky-high for the World No. 1. Do you think he will be able to defend his Australian Open title? Let us know in the comments below.