Tennis star Jannik Sinner has confirmed that a recent tonsillectomy contributed to noticeable weight loss as he continues his recovery from a persistent knee injury.
The 25-year-old provided the update via a video blog, offering fans a rare look at his rehabilitation process in Monte Carlo and Lyon.
Sinner’s health status has been a primary concern since his victory at Wimbledon, with a knee injury keeping him off the professional circuit since July. While he previously managed to play through fluctuating levels of discomfort, the athlete revealed that he underwent surgery to remove his tonsils several weeks ago, a procedure that has impacted his physical conditioning.
“I lost quite a bit of weight,” Sinner said in his YouTube update. “You can see it a little bit in my face.” Despite the setback, the Italian is already focusing on his return to the court. “We are now working on building back muscle and getting stronger,” he added.
During a press event at the Allianz Palace in Milan, Sinner admitted that his current situation is unfamiliar territory. “For the first time in my career, I don’t have control over things,” he told Südtirol News.
Sinner’s daily routine is now dictated by medical protocols, shifting between physiotherapy, strength training, and periods of rest. According to Südtirol News, he has been spending time on a racing simulator as a primary outlet while he remains sidelined.
The athlete said that watching other players succeed during his absence has been challenging, leading him to avoid watching much tennis recently because “it pains me not to be there myself,” he said.
The decision to prioritize his long-term health over immediate participation in the ATP Finals was made with his career longevity in mind. “If I come back a month later, it makes no difference,” Sinner explained. “I want to play for another 10 to 15 years.”
Early in November, he announced the end of his five-year partnership with coach Darren Cahill, whom he described as being “like a second father.” The split was described as amicable, with Sinner stating he hopes to maintain personal contact for support in the future.
Looking ahead, Sinner has tapped Swedish coach Magnus Norman to join his team. Norman will step into a key role. “He accepts the way we are already working,” Sinner said. “That is important to me because I don’t want to change everything again.”
The primary objective for Sinner’s team remains a return to competition at the Australian Open, which begins in mid-January. While he expressed hope that he might be able to contest a few tournaments before the Grand Slam, he emphasized the need for patience.
“I have to work toward this goal step by step and day by day,” Sinner told Südtirol News. “If we rush anything, it could end up worse.”
Sinner remains focused on his development for the 2027 season, aiming to add one percent to his game annually. His next confirmed checkpoint is the start of the Australian Open in January, where he intends to return to the title hunt.
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