Sinner’s brother responds with ten words that shake the tennis world

Wimbledon 2025 provided the crowd with unforgettable moments on and off the court. This time, however, it wasn’t a winning shot or an epic match that left everyone speechless. It was an intimate and painful confession from one of the tournament’s undisputed stars: Jannik Sinner.

After his quarterfinal victory, which catapulted him to the semifinals of the London Grand Slam for the third consecutive year, the world number one appeared at the press conference visibly shaken. Despite the forced smile and composure that always characterized him, something in his eyes suggested that the recent success had shaken him deeply.

When a journalist asked him who he would have liked to see in the stands during that important match, Sinner’s answer surprised everyone:

My father and brother never came to see me play. Not because they didn’t want to, but because they couldn’t. They worked as waiters in a small restaurant in Bolzano. We didn’t have money to travel. They often asked me to borrow the money they needed to pay for my travels. Now that I’m the breadwinner, I feel a duty to repay my brother for every jump, every overtime, every silence.

The press room remained silent. No one dared ask the next question. For the first time, Sinner spoke not as an athlete, but as a son and brother. A boy who has climbed to the top of world tennis without ever forgetting his roots.

Jannik’s statements went viral within hours. Social media filled with messages of support and affection. But the most striking response came from the person at the center of the story: his older brother, Lukas Sinner.

In a post published on his personal profile, Lukas wrote just ten words, accompanying them with an old photo of the two children’s brothers on a makeshift tennis court:

“You made us proud. We always believed in you.”

Few words, but packed with meaning. A message that moved thousands of fans, journalists, and even former tennis champions like Roger Federer and Francesca Schiavone, who shared the post on their profiles, praising the strength of the Sinner family.

Behind Jannik’s success is a story few knew in detail. Born into a modest family in South Tyrol, he began playing tennis on Fatto di Fatto di Fatto, often preparing snow for practice. While his peers spent their afternoons playing video games and going on excursions, he traveled for hours to minor tournaments, sleeping in shared rooms or in his father’s car.

His parents, Hanspeter and Sigrinke, made enormous sacrifices. But it’s his relationship with his brother Lukas that today appears in a new light. While Jannik pursued his dreams, Lukas put his aside to help the family, taking night shifts in restaurants, working during holidays, always in the shadows.

Sinner’s revelation sparked a wave of empathy not only among fans but also within the ATP Tour. Rafael Nadal commented:
“These are the stories that demonstrate the true value of athletes.”

Novak Djokovic said:
“I bow to the courage to speak these truths. Tennis needs human champions, not just technicians.”

And Carlos Alcaraz, his historic rival and friend, posted a simple heart emoji accompanied by the message:
“Sinner es Grande, on and off the pitch.”

Now that Jannik Sinner is at the pinnacle of success, with millions of fans and sponsors at his side, it’s clear that nothing has shaken his values. Every victory, every point, is a tribute to those who allowed him to believe. And while the world acclaims him as a champion, he continues to behave like the boy he always was, knowing that without his family, nothing would have been possible.

And if there’s one sentence that sums it all up, it’s the one written by Luke. In ten words, he managed to tell an entire story. A story that, today, belongs not only to the Sinner, but to all of us.