Jannik Sinner and Adriano Panatta
Here’s everything you need to know about the beef between Adriano Panatta and Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner’s choice to pull out of Italy’s Davis Cup team drew disapproval from fellow countryman Adriano Panatta. After his fourth-round departure from the 2023 US Open, Sinner decided to withdraw from the 2023 Davis Cup group stage, citing insufficient time for proper recovery between the two tournaments.
Moreover, Team Italy faced a diminished roster due to the absence of Matteo Berrettini and the exclusion of Fabio Fognini, setting the stage for tensions between Adriano Panatta and Jannik Sinner.
Adriano Panatta expressed reservations about the priorities of contemporary tennis players, emphasizing their apparent focus on “profit” rather than a commitment to tradition and national pride.
He brought attention to Jannik Sinner’s decision to withdraw from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and criticized the 22-year-old for also opting out of the Davis Cup. Panatta was critical of Sinner, who is ranked World No. 7, for citing fatigue as the reason for his withdrawal, drawing parallels to MotoGP rider Francesco Bagnaia.
However, it appears that relations between the two have improved recently, as Adriano Panatta dedicated a heartfelt message to Jannik Sinner after the Italian tennis player matched his record ranking. Sinner is set to reach the number 4 spot in the ATP world rankings following his impressive performance in reaching the final of the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing and securing a victory against Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets.
In the early stages of his professional career, Adriano Panatta achieved significant victories in prestigious tournaments. He captured top-tier professional titles in Bournemouth in 1973, Florence in 1974, and emerged victorious in Kitzbühel and Stockholm in 1975. One of his most remarkable achievements was winning the French Open in 1976, where he notably defeated Björn Borg at Roland Garros, a feat he accomplished on two occasions. Furthermore, he holds the unique distinction of being the only Italian male player to have secured a men’s singles Grand Slam title during the Open Era.
Panatta demonstrated his tennis prowess by securing the 1977 World Championship Tennis title in Houston, where he notably defeated formidable opponents Jimmy Connors and Vitas Gerulaitis. He continued his winning streak with another triumph in Tokyo in 1978.
Following their Davis Cup victory in 1976, Panatta played a crucial role in Italy’s Davis Cup campaigns, contributing to their appearances in the final on three more occasions in 1977, 1979, and 1980. Unfortunately, the team faced defeats against Australia in 1977, the United States in 1979, and Czechoslovakia in 1980 during these finals. Panatta’s Davis Cup record is impressive, with 64 wins and 36 losses, notably achieving 55 wins on clay courts. His final singles title was clinched in 1980 in Florence, marking a memorable conclusion to his singles career. Adriano Panatta eventually retired from the professional tour in 1983.
Tensions arose between Jannik Sinner and Adriano Panatta due to Sinner’s withdrawals from key events, reflecting differing views on modern tennis priorities. However, recent successes have improved relations, underscoring the evolving dynamics in professional tennis.
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