Jannik Sinner was cheered loudly as he lifted the Coupe de S.A.S le Prince Souverain trophy on Sunday in Monte Carlo, raising both Italian flag and playing national anthem simultaneously, followed by Il Canto degli Italiani being played, to which Sinner sang along in earnest pride.
At a post-match press conference, Sinner was taken aback when an unexpected question regarding her national anthem surfaced from one reporter. Although taken aback initially by this unexpected query about its meaning and implications for him personally, Sinner handled it brilliantly by providing an unassuming yet confident reply which quickly resolved matters.
A regional reporter asked whether Sinner had actually sung the national anthem, prompting the 24-year-old to clarify. The question felt pointed and unnecessary to many observers.
“You sang the Italian anthem today?” the reporter asked.
Sinner paused briefly before responding calmly, “Yes, I sang it. Normally, we sing the national anthem, right?” He added, “I’m happy. I always say that I’m proud to be Italian. I felt the support, especially the Italian support, during this tournament.”
There was no lengthy explanation or irritation—just a simple, assured response from someone who did not feel the need to justify himself.
The question resonated with some because Sinner was born in San Candido, South Tyrol, a region with a historically German-speaking background that became part of Italy after World War I. This dual cultural identity has sometimes sparked debate about him, but Sinner has consistently remained clear about his stance on his identity.
The support from Italian fans was evident throughout the week. Large parts of Court Rainier III were filled with fans dressed in Azzurri blue, waving banners with messages like “Go Sinner,” “The Sinners,” and “We support Sinner.”
Sinner capitalized on this energy, using both the crowd’s backing and his momentum to advance through the tournament. Before defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final, he had already overcome tough opponents such as Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime comfortably in earlier rounds.
His strong serving made a notable difference in the final, something his opponent also acknowledged during the match. Sinner finished the final demonstrating the mental stamina that has become his trademark.
“It Means a Lot to Me” – Sinner Reflects on Historic Monte Carlo Win
In the on-court interview following the match, Jannik Sinner spoke candidly about the significance of his victory and his physical condition at the tournament’s end.
“It means a lot to me. At the same time, the ranking is secondary. I’m very happy to win at least one big trophy on this surface. I haven’t done it before. It means a lot to me,” Sinner shared as the crowd cheered around him.
Sinner had struggled in the round of 16 against Tomas Machac, where he took a medical timeout mid-match and dropped a set in a tiebreak, ending his streak of winning 37 consecutive sets in Masters tournaments.
He elaborated on key moments in the final, recalling how, despite being down 1-3 in the second set against Alcaraz, he managed to elevate his level. The Spanish player, who committed 45 unforced errors amid breezy conditions, was unable to keep pace.
“I felt close on the return games. I had a feeling the new balls helped me. The ball change was at 2-1. I tried to stay there mentally, trying to keep pushing. I felt a bit tired, but I tried to keep up with the right mentality. Having this trophy with me now means a lot. It’s a completely different tournament. I come here, sleeping at home, and everything. It means a lot,” he explained.
The reference to “sleeping at home” was notable, as Sinner resides in Monaco, making Monte Carlo one of the few calendar events he participates in without the complications of travel and accommodation.
With the title and No. 1 ranking secured, Sinner is not rushing back onto the court. He will skip the Barcelona Open, which his main rival Alcaraz will enter next week, and instead head directly to the Mutua Madrid Open. His primary focus remains on preparing for Roland Garros.
This extended recovery period between Monte Carlo and Madrid should allow him to get ready for what should prove to be one of the most crucial stretches before the French Open.
Four Masters 1000 titles won in succession and World No.1 back on track; plus clay season has just kicked in!