Italian tennis legend hits back at media for twisting his words about Jannik Sinner

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Jannik Sinner’s 2025 ATP Tour campaign has been one for the ages, as he continues to dominate the men’s game.

In January, Sinner won his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3, in the final.

He then encountered one of the biggest setbacks of his career, as Sinner was suspended for three months, bringing an end to the ‘Clostebol’ saga.

Returning on the clay, Sinner reached the final of the Italian Open and French Open, but came up short against Carlos Alcaraz on both occasions.

Finally getting one over on his biggest rival, Sinner defeated Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final to win his second major of the year.

Sitting pretty atop the ATP rankings, with two of the three Grand Slams in his back pocket, things couldn’t be going much better for Sinner, although that’s not to say he hasn’t been embroiled in controversy.

Sinner’s fellow Italian and national tennis hero, Nicola Pietrangeli, has made several comments about the world number one that haven’t gone down well.

However, looking to clarify his thoughts on Sinner, Pietrangeli has now claimed that the media were twisting his words.

Nicola Pietrangeli says he isn’t ‘jealous’ of Jannik Sinner and hits back at the media

During an interview with Super Tennis, Italian tennis legend Pietrangeli suggested the media have been forcing a false narrative about him and Sinner.

“Interviews? They change my words, that’s enough,” he said.

“You know, in the end, what I don’t understand is how people can think I want to speak badly of [Jannik] Sinner because I’m jealous.

“But why? Why should I speak badly of him? How dare they?”

Recently discharged from hospital, Pietrangeli made a joke about the costs of healthcare, referring to Sinner once more.

“Everything they tell me has a cost,” he said.

“But I’m not as rich as Sinner… and I’m just joking because I can already see they’re going to start another controversy.”

During an interview last November, Pietrangeli claimed Sinner would never break his Davis Cup record, suggesting he would need ‘three or four lifetimes’ to do so.

Pietrangeli holds the record for most Davis Cup matches played and won, which, in fairness, is likely to stand the test of time.

Earlier this year, when the 23-year-old won his second consecutive Australian Open title, Pietrangeli suggested Sinner’s win over Zverev was ‘boring’.

Whilst the headline quotes don’t always paint Pietrangeli in the best light, in his defense, he does often qualify such statements with praise for the Italian world number one.

The 91-year-old clearly has a lot of respect for Sinner, as the youngster builds on the legacy he started in 1959.

List of Italian Grand Slam champions

At the 1959 French Open, Pietrangeli became the first Italian player to win a major title, defeating Ian Vermaak in the final.

Defending his title a year later, Pietrangeli eventually retired with two Grand Slam titles to his name.

65 years on, Italian players have won seven more majors, as the nation begins to establish itself as a true tennis superpower.

• 1959 French Open – Nicola Pietrangeli
• 1960 French Open – Nicola Pietrangeli
• 1976 French Open – Adriano Panatta
• 2010 French Open – Francesca Schiavone
• 2015 US Open – Flavia Pennetta
• 2024 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2024 US Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 Wimbledon – Jannik Sinner

As a country, Italy has won nine Grand Slam titles, a number that is likely to increase over the coming years.

Not only is Sinner a threat at all four majors, but Jasmine Paolini and Lorenzo Musetti have both shown how dangerous they can be on clay and grass courts over the past 18 months.

Whether any of the trio can add a tenth Grand Slam title to their nation’s tally in New York next month remains to be seen, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for.

The 2025 US Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 24.