Jannik Sinner is the name on everyone’s lips in Italy. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a historic season, rising to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings and winning two major titles.
Sinner is competing on home soil this week at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where everyone is keen to watch the Italian in action. From the practice courts to a packed Inalpi Arena, fans turned out in force on Tuesday night for Sinner’s match against Taylor Fritz.
The home favourite was greeted with raucous cheers when he walked onto court, but it was one lucky seven-year-old who had the chance to give the Italian final words of encouragement. Francesca, part of the mascot kid programme presented by Nitto, accompanied Sinner on court and shared a sweet message to the star.
"I asked him if he was scared about playing the match, and then I asked him to win,” Francesca said. “He replied, 'I try'."
[ATP AWARDS]Sinner went on to defeat Fritz in straight sets, fulfilling the wishes of Francesca and the Italian crowd. The 23-year-old has previously spoken about the mascot programme, praising the initiative.
“I think it makes it special for the players,” Sinner said last year. “We have so many times in the year that we walk on alone. Here it is a little bit different with the mascot, so it's nice.”
The walk-on mascots at this year’s Nitto ATP Finals are all from Casa UGI, a Turin-based volunteer organisation that supports children who are battling cancer and their families, doctors, nurses and volunteers. The children participating have either struggled with an illness or have a family member who is dealing with one.
Earlier in the week, mascot Matei had the opportunity to walk onto court with Australian Alex de Minaur. It was a moment he relished.
All the feels 🥹
A wholesome moment between @alexdeminaur and his young mascot ❤️#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/msEI0rSoMF
“It was very embarrassing because everyone was watching me, but also very exciting,” Matei said. “So exciting that I felt like laughing!
“I’m very happy I got to walk with Alex de Minaur. He was really nice and even asked me to give him a high five. He seems like a really tough guy. I'll be cheering for him in these Nitto ATP Finals, and I'll keep following him.”
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