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World number one Jannik Sinner will return to competitive action at the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh on December 27, ending a months-long absence caused by a right knee injury that sidelined him following his Wimbledon triumph on July 12.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica, Sinner addressed his physical recovery, reflecting on a difficult summer marked by rehabilitation, patience, and a philosophical approach to the limits of the human body.
Recovery and the Reality of Injuries
Sinner acknowledged that his time away from the tour tested his resilience, noting that the rehabilitation process demanded a long-term perspective. The body is the only opponent you cannot beat, Sinner told La Repubblica, as reported by Eurosport. When it tells you to stop, you must accept it and follow the advice of specialists.
Injuries are part of the sport.
Despite the forced layoff, the Italian player maintained a rigorous physical schedule rather than stepping away from tennis entirely. He spent his summer balancing gym work and physiotherapy with rare leisure pursuits, attending the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, visiting a Gucci fashion show in Milan, playing PlayStation, and reading Giorgio Faletti’s 600-page novel Io kill (Je tue). I never stayed doing nothing and I never turned my back on tennis under the pretext that it had hurt me,
Sinner said. On the contrary, I have always worked very hard, both in the weight room and on the court.
Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz will face each other in the final of the Six Kings Slam. Carlos leads the head to head 6-4 & he won all 3 of their meetings this year.Their last meeting was in Beijing a few weeks ago and it did not disappoint. Jannik won Australian Open and… pic.twitter.com/djEBpIqIxj
Zverev Threatens Sinner's Hold on Top ATP Spot
While recovering, Sinner’s hold on the top spot of the ATP rankings faces an immediate threat. Alexander Zverev can surpass the Italian if the German player reaches the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna. Sinner, however, remains unconcerned with shifting mathematical projections, insisting that his sole focus rests on complete physical healing. You sow today, but the harvest comes later,
Sinner said, adding that preparation consistently outweighs sheer luck on the tour.
The conversation also turned to his burgeoning rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner welcomed the contrast between their playing styles and personalities, describing the Spaniard as possessing a more exuberant, Mediterranean temperament compared to his own disciplined and obstinate approach on the court. It’s wonderful to have someone who pushes you to your absolute limits,
Sinner noted, comparing their dynamic to historic tennis rivalries from Borg-McEnroe to Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
Sinner Recalls Pain of Leaving Family for Training
Looking back, Flashscore noted that Sinner pinpointed the most painful moment of his career not to a defeat on the court, but to a difficult personal decision made at age thirteen and a half. Leaving his family to move to Bordighera to train with coach Riccardo Piatti left an enduring emotional mark. I would like to erase what I felt the day I left home,
Sinner said of parting with his father in Milan. The suffering… of saying goodbye to my father because our paths were separating and a bond was breaking.
Over time, that separation evolved into a foundational understanding that making significant choices requires accepting both loss and responsibility.
As Sinner prepares for his scheduled return in Riyadh, his outlook remains anchored in patience and relentless preparation. Talent without work is worth nothing,
he reflected, offering advice to his younger self that emphasizes surrounding oneself with the right people and honoring difficult decisions through consistent effort.
