Roger Federer once claimed that having a stable relationship gave him an edge over his rivals – and Jannik Sinner appears to agree with the Swiss legend’s comments
Jannik Sinner has hinted that he and Roger Federer are on the same page regarding long-term relationships.
Retired legend Federer, who won 20 Grand Slam titles, has often credited his off-court life with his wife Mirka as a significant factor in his success. The couple has been inseparable since their first encounter at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where they both represented Switzerland, tying the knot nine years later.
Federer once remarked that his stable relationship gave him an advantage over his “wife-a-year” rivalsin tennis. In a 2019 interview with the Spanish newspaper AS, he said: “As a player, it’s always good to have her because some players have a wife for a year and then change her. Anything can make you happy but it can also distract you.
“My life is perfect like that. I’ve always been in love with the same girlfriend, from the same wife, running the family and protecting them from the press. She hasn’t had an interview for 12 to 15 years so people don’t know what she does.
“If I talk about tennis, she has a great impact not on my game but on my personality, because she was professional before me. I had more experience when I entered the circuit.
“I worked hard. It made me grow and mature in my early years. Her support is incredible, it always helps me, it makes my life easier no matter what I win or lose. She is a born worker. She is amazing. I hope she doesn’t change. I am always for her and vice versa.”
Roger Federer cherishes the stability life with Mirka has given him(Image: PA Wire)
At 23, U.S. Open champion Sinner is navigating a different phase in both his life and career, with a strong preference for maintaining the privacy of his personal affairs. Last year, he went public about dating fellow tennis pro Anna Kalinskaya.
Yet, when probed about his love life this May, he declared his single status. The Italian has also refuted rumors linking him romantically to model Lara Leito.
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Before echoing sentiments similar to those of Federer, 43, Sinner has acknowledged the complexities of romance amidst a bustling travel schedule. He told Vanity Fair Italia: “No, of course it’s not easy [having a relationship]. I travel a lot and during tournaments I’m very focused.
Sinner admits relationships are difficult in the hectic world of tennis(Image: Getty Images)
“But I think it’s a beautiful thing when you find the right love, like for everyone. And then, if you think about it, the best tennis players in the world all have wives and children.”
Like Federer, Sinner emphasizes his need for discretion, adding: “I like talking about tennis, and sports in general. But if it refers to my private life, it’s true, I want to keep it that way.
“I want to protect the people closest to me, keeping them out of all this. I see it as a small task to do, almost a duty. They helped me, when I was young, to gain self-confidence, and today, in some way, I want to protect them.”
Sinner remains on track for his first Wimbledon title after taking just an hour and 40 minutes to beat Australian Aleksandar Vukic, 6-1 6-1 6-3. The victory paved the way for a third-round showdown with Spain’s Pedro Martinez on Saturday.
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