Jannik Sinner opens up like never before: doping, Alcaraz, family, and the mindset that has led him to dominate tennis

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 29 Jun 2026 | 09.23

Jannik Sinner, intimate confessions at Wimbledon. Photo: gettyimages

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Jannik Sinner faces Wimbledon 2026 as the reigning champion and world number one. In an interview with The Telegraph, the Italian has displayed an intimate version of himself, reflecting on the episode of the positive test due to contamination, his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, the importance of family, his view on success, and the keys that have allowed him to reach a level that seems several steps above the rest.

Beyond the titles and records, the conversation paints the portrait of an athlete obsessed with constant improvement, incredibly balanced off the court, and convinced that he is far from reaching his peak. Perhaps one of the main reasons why Jannik Sinner, at just 24 years old, has become the absolute reference in men's tennis.

Sinner reveals what he learned from his doping positive

The most delicate moment of the interview inevitably comes when discussing the three-month sanction he served in 2025 after his positive test due to accidental contamination. Although he always maintained his innocence and returned even stronger than before, Sinner acknowledges that that episode changed some of his perspectives on life.

"I realized that there is also a life outside the court. I spent a lot of time with my family and my father. Then I worked very hard to get back to the level I had, but I discovered other things," he explained.

Far from holding a grudge over everything that happened, the Italian ensures that the break taught him a lesson he probably would never have learned competing week after week. "Yes, and it didn't make me a better player. It was good to step away from tennis for a bit. It made me understand that training is important, but spending time with my family is also important, because things can change very quickly."

The reflection is particularly significant for a player whose career seems built around discipline and continuous improvement. Sinner admits that during those months, he discovered that his happiness does not depend solely on tennis and that there is a life equally valuable when the spotlight of the circuit dims.

His rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz: friendship, respect... and the certainty that more will come

It is impossible to discuss the current state of tennis without mentioning Carlos Alcaraz. Between them, they have dominated the major titles in recent seasons and have a rivalry that many consider the natural heir to the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

However, Sinner avoids dramatizing that competition and views it from a much more natural perspective. "Carlos is a friend, but also a rival. I think rivalries can also turn into good friendships. There are healthy rivalries, and I believe we have one." The Italian does not believe that the circuit will be solely reduced to that duel in the coming years.

"At some point, someone else will emerge. I know things change very quickly. I try to focus solely on doing my job and controlling what depends on me."

That response perfectly sums up one of the great mental strengths of the world number one. While the outside world constantly insists on comparing generations, projecting records, or fueling historical debates, Sinner continues to live solely in the present.

Sinner's secret to explaining his dominance: work, patience, and constant improvement

Although from the outside it may seem like he is going through an almost perfect moment, Sinner insists that everything he is achieving follows a very simple logic. "I have a theory: everything happening now is a result of the work you did five or six months ago. If you continue to work, you simply become a better player. Seeing these results makes me happy because I know everything I have sacrificed."

He does not speak of talent or inspiration. He speaks of processes. This way of understanding high performance explains why he has left hardly any cracks during the last season and a half, becoming the first player capable of winning five consecutive Masters 1000 titles and establishing a huge distance from the rest of the circuit.

However, it is surprising to note that, despite dominating the ranking with authority, he still thinks much more about what he lacks than everything he has already achieved. "At 24 years old, you can't be perfect. I have a great team around me, and there are still small details we can improve."

This constant pursuit of progress is also evident in the evolution of his tennis. Sinner himself recalls that since he was a teenager, he always knew what he wanted his identity to be on the court. "I always tried to play aggressively. I preferred to lose a point by missing a winner rather than waiting for the opponent to make a mistake. That's how I've always been."

The difference is that today, that aggressiveness coexists with an extraordinary tactical discipline, a much more mature shot selection, and a physical capacity that allows him to maintain that level for hours. His tennis remains offensive, but now it is also much more efficient and difficult to deactivate.

Jannik Sinner aims to build an eternal legacy as a tennis player

At just 24 years old, it is inevitable to ask him about the legacy he wants to leave when he finishes his career. His response once again deviates from the usual discourse of the top stars. "I don't play for records. I play for myself." Sinner explains that he has never built his motivation around specific numbers or historical comparisons.

"I like being the best, but the only thing I want to achieve is that, when I finish my career, I can say that I did absolutely everything possible to become the best player I could be." Even when asked how he would feel if he had to retire today, he responds with an uncommon serenity.

"I would be very happy. After tennis, there will be a new chapter. Knowing myself, it probably won't be related to this sport. I would like to do different things." The response helps to understand why pressure seems to affect the Italian so little. His identity does not depend solely on tennis, allowing him to compete with a calmness that is hard to find even among great champions.

Sinner reveals his great hobbies and lifestyle beyond tennis

Perhaps the most revealing section of the interview is the one that shows who Sinner is when he sets aside the racket. The Italian admits that the best reward after a great competition week is to treat himself with food. "I have a weakness for sweets. The most important thing for me is dessert: lots of ice cream and lots of cakes."

However, one of his nutritional confessions is surprising. "I don't like the taste of alcohol too much. I prefer a Coca-Cola Zero. Although I sometimes have a little champagne or white wine." The importance of family constantly surfaces during the conversation. His parents continue to work in the family business even though their son has already surpassed 60 million dollars in sports prizes, a circumstance that Sinner considers completely normal.

"Reward them? I think the best gift is just spending time together. Going out to dinner, taking a walk, or eating together as a family. For us, money has always been secondary."

Outside of tennis, he also maintains passions that have accompanied him since childhood. He is a big fan of Formula 1 —he even dreamed of becoming a driver when he was young— and follows every Grand Prix whenever his schedule allows. He also enjoys cooking, prepares his own tiramisu, and leads a surprisingly discreet life in Montecarlo, where he tries to escape the media spotlight whenever he finds a free moment.

All this contributes to paint a very different picture from what he often portrays on the court. Behind the relentless competitor is a person who values normality, time with loved ones, and a simple routine as indispensable tools to sustain the high competitive level he displays every week.

Perhaps that is the most interesting conclusion of the entire interview. While the tennis world tries to figure out how to stop Jannik Sinner, he remains convinced that he can still improve. And that mindset, combined with a personal balance that seems increasingly solid, explains better than any statistic why he currently occupies a privileged place at the top of the sport.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jannik Sinner se abre como nunca: dopaje, Alcaraz, familia y la mentalidad que le ha llevado a dominar el tenis

Jannik Sinner