Jannik Sinner: ‘I like to dance in the pressure storm’

Italian reflects on the change of attitude that helped him win his first grand slam as he bids for more glory at the French Open

Jannik Sinner is still only 22 but he strolls in with the serene conviction of a grand slam winner who seems far older than he looks. He is also as friendly as he is serious in a mix that suits the fact that Sinner is an Italian who grew up speaking German and now models for Gucci while sometimes being cheered on by a quirky group of fans who dress like carrots and call themselves the Carota Boys. The carrots honour Sinner’s red hair and the fading memory that he once ate the humble vegetable during a match in Vienna.

It makes sense to meet Sinner at Roland Garros for it was here, a year ago, that a surprise defeat changed his erratic mentality and set him on a new path of clarity. Sinner’s uncluttered purpose since then has meant he has beaten Novak Djokovic in three out of their past four matches, lift the Davis Cup for Italy, win the Australian Open in January and rise to No 2 in the world.