Sinner: "I have nothing to lose in Rome, I can play relaxed"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 12 May 2026 | 07.36

Jannik Sinner reflects on his life in Rome. Photo: gettyimages

Streaming ATP Rome live tennis

🎾 Jannik Sinner vs Andrea Pellegrino

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Jannik Sinner continues to advance confidently in the ATP Masters 1000 Rome 2026. After securing his spot in the round of 16, he shared one of his most personal and reflective interviews on Tennis Channel. Beyond analyzing his tennis, the world number one spoke about the pressure of playing at home, the support of the fans, and how he manages both physically and mentally in an increasingly demanding season.

The Italian also explained how he emotionally approaches the most special tournament on his calendar, acknowledged the impact of everything surrounding him, and humbly recalled his origins in a small town in northern Italy. Amid jokes about the aerial show in Rome and deeper reflections on fame and responsibility, Sinner once again displayed the serenity that has made him one of the great figures in world sports.

"There are more people here than there are in the town where I am from." 😂

Jannik Sinner appreciates the passionate Italian fans in Roma 🤌 #IBI26 pic.twitter.com/HOQbfTxUTo

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 11, 2026

This was the most interesting part of what Sinner said in his interview in Rome with TennisChannel

The differences between Madrid and Rome

"It's hard to say which conditions favor me more. Here, you can control the rallies a bit better because points tend to be longer, and the conditions are slower and heavier. In Madrid, if someone serves very well, they have a huge advantage. Everything is different here. The early rounds are always tough, and now we just try to keep doing things right to see what happens in the later rounds."

The scare with the military planes in Rome

"It was fun, but I was a bit scared because I didn't expect it. You're inside, and suddenly you hear a very loud noise. These planes make a lot of noise, and I thought they were flying very low. Later, they told me they were rehearsing for tomorrow and that they will perform with Italy's colors. It's going to be very beautiful."

Not much scares Jannik Sinner...

Except the Tricolori flyover 🇮🇹🛩️😂 pic.twitter.com/FhY3saOc0k
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 11, 2026

What it means to play in Rome as an Italian

"It's a tournament I've never won, and it's a very prestigious event. Being Italian, I'm extremely happy to play here. Right now, it's a win-win situation for me. If I keep advancing, fantastic. And if I lose, I'll also have more time to recover before Roland Garros. That's why I'm a bit more relaxed. Here, there are a lot of fans who come to see me, Flavio, Lorenzo, and all the Italians still in the draw. We try to give them something positive in return."

The excitement he experiences with the Italian fans

"It's truly impressive. I always think about where I come from. I'm from a very small town, and under the tournament bridge, there are more people waiting than the inhabitants in my city. It's incredible. And it's not just about me. We have a fantastic group of Italian players, and we want to convey something positive. Tennis in Italy is growing a lot, and you can feel the passion that people have. The fans support me greatly when things are going well, but also when they're not. They always show why they are your followers, and I'm very happy to be part of this movement."

The pressure, mental fatigue, and his responsibility as a global figure

"I know perfectly well the responsibility I have as a player. Everything that's happening around me is natural. In fact, I think it's a good thing. If I didn't have it, perhaps it would mean things aren't going well. After Madrid, I had three completely free days. No gym, no tennis. That helped me immensely to recharge."

"I'm very happy to be back on the court, and I just try to do my best. It doesn't matter if people come to support me or if rivals want to beat me. I just try to be prepared and fight always."

Jannik Sinner keeps advancing in Rome as the leading figure of Italian tennis and one of the most admired figures on the ATP circuit. His maturity in handling pressure, emotional connection with the fans, and natural way of talking about his life off the court further reinforce the dimension of a player who continues to grow both on and off the tennis court.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner: "No tengo nada que perder en Roma, puedo jugar relajado"