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Jannik Sinner: ‘What stood out most was how friendly Rafa Nadal was and how hard he works’


Jannik Sinner said what stood out most from spending time with Rafael Nadal was “how friendly he was with me and how hard he works”.

The 19-year-old shared a bubble and trained with Nadal in Adelaide ahead of the Australian Open earlier this year.

Sinner also revealed he has broken his racket on court just twice, saying: “this type of attitude doesn’t go with my personality”.

“You learn lots of things off someone who’s won 20 Grand Slams. What most stood out about him (Nadal) was how friendly he was with me and how hard he works,” Sinner told Marca.

“Rafa and the rest of his team are normal people. When they have to have a good time they do so. In training, it’s down to business.”

The Italian added on breaking rackets: “Twice, I think. I remember one of them. It was in Bonfiglio, not far from Milan.

“It was in an Under-18s tournament. I lost in the quarter-finals after having a nightmare of a match and I broke my racket.

“Leaving the court, I felt so cross with myself for having broken the racket, much more [than the fact] that I’d lost. I realised that this type of attitude doesn’t go with my personality.”

The world No. 18 is in action at the Madrid Open – where he will face Guido Pella in the first round on Monday.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.