WATCH: Jannik Sinner returns home after winning US Open; delightfully interacts with kids during surprise soccer practice visit in Italy
Jannik Sinner was recently caught on camera interacting delightfully with kids in his native Italy. Sinner's interaction comes days after he won his maiden US Open title and the second Major of his career.
The World No. 1, who hails from the South Tyrol province nestled deep in the Italian Alps, was all smiles as he met and spoke to the local children, who were happily taking part in a soccer training session. Sinner himself is an avid soccer fan and used to play the sport recreationally before eventually pursuing professional tennis.
Watch Jannik Sinner delight kids in the town of Bruneck in South Tyrol, Italy, below:
Sinner's title triumph at the 2024 US Open was a remarkable achievement, not only due to his brilliant on-court performances but also because of his mental strength in the face of the doping controversy that surrounded him amid his campaign at Flushing Meadows.
The Italian faced fierce backlash after news broke in the buildup to the hardcourt Major that he had tested positive for a banned substance back in March. However, the World No. 1 and reigning Australian Open champion kept his focus firmly on his on-court objectives, even though he admitted afterward that the controversy had been running in his mind.
Only Mackenzie McDonald (first round) and Daniil Medvedev (quarterfinals) were able to take sets off of the Italian at Flushing Meadows. In the final, he comprehensively defeated home favorite Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 and clinched the title emphatically.
During his post-match on-court interview, Sinner remembered his ailing aunt and rued the fact that people cannot stay healthy throughout the entirety of their lives.
Jannik Sinner dedicated his US Open 2024 title triumph to his aunt
After his resounding win over Taylor Fritz in the 2024 US Open final, Jannik Sinner turned emotional as he dedicated his latest Grand Slam success to his aunt, whose health, by the Italian's admission, is in rapid decline. Sinner also talked about how he wishes for everyone to be healthy while also acknowledging that it can never come to fruition.
"I would like to dedicate this title to my aunt because she is really not feeling well health-wise. I don't know how much longer I still have her in my life. It's so nice that I can share positive moments still with her. She was a very important person for my life and she still is. If there would be a biggest wish, I would wish everyone the best health, but unfortunately, it's not possible," Sinner said.
It has already been an astonishing season so far for Jannik Sinner. The Italian has a 55-5 win-loss record and has won two Majors, two ATP Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Cincinnati, and two ATP 500 titles in Rotterdam and Halle.