The fever, sore throat, malaise and intolerance that had led him to decline the invitation to participate in yet another celebration for the Davis Cup won in November have suddenly become a distant memory for Jannik Sinner. The smile returned to the face of the redhead from San Candido on the afternoon of his last day in Rome, when the number 2 in the ATP ranking was literally overwhelmed by the delirious fans. Certain, the fans would have preferred to see him on the pitch, on the Centrale of the Foro Italico. But the selfies and autographs outside the stadium were enough, when Jannik gave himself to the fans in three promotional events.
Sinner meets the fans: three appointments at the Foro Italico
Super intense afternoon for the South Tyrolean, which was also announced through social media. And the appointments given to fans have had the desired effects: hundreds, thousands responded to the invitation, giving rise to queues that lasted for two hours or more, which almost paralyzed activity at the Foro Italico. Sinner’s first meeting with the fans at the Pigna stand, at 4pm. Escorted by the Internazionali security, Jannik reached the stand in an electric car and satisfied the requests of hundreds of enthusiastic fans. He made them happy simply by signing autographs on the notebook with his logo or taking a selfie.
Selfies, autographs and big crowds: Jannik invites calm
Another round, another carousel. New crowd at the Fastweb stand. During which, in truth, they lived moments of agitation. The crowd was excessive, the crowd oppressive. So much so that at a certain point Sinner blurted out – incredible but true – and asked, with the usual politeness: “Calm down please.” Then he moved to La-Roche Posay for the last hug with the fans. A selfie of a child who, wearing Dybala’s shirt, looked like his childhood version of him, with long curly red hair. And lots of selfies and autographs for other fans, without denying himself to anyone. Jannik is like this: if possible, he pleases everyone.
Goodbye Rome: the return to Monte Carlo and the start of treatment
Once the tour was completed, Sinner finally retired to the hotel. The compliments and exhortations from the fans made him happy: after all, they are the ones who give him energy and push him to move forward. But now it’s time to work to get back to the top. Roland Garros is an event that Jannik cannot miss, after having missed – despite himself – the one in Rome. Wednesday is the right day to return to Monte Carlo, to go back to work with the aim of getting his bad hip back on track, which requires specific treatment. So, goodbye Rome: Sinner is ready to return to the French Riviera. From where the view towards Paris is perhaps less hazy.
