Jannik Sinner’s win celebrated by tennis football fans in Rome party

On ‘Super Saturday’ in Rome, world No 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy defeated world No 89 Mariano Navano of Argentina in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

It was undoubtedly the most eagerly anticipated match of his career.

In the neighbouring Stadio Olimpico, Italian football fans also celebrated Sinner’s win, creating a double celebration for Italian tennis and football!

Doping ban

It was their first meeting, and also the Italian’s first appearance on the ATP tour, since winning the Australian Open in January after serving a three-month doping ban.

There was no better place to return to the sport than on home soil at the Foro Italico, where he received a jubilant welcome.

For Navone, this match was never going to be easy.

Playing against an almost entirely home crowd, this would have been the biggest win of his career in his bid to become the first Argentinian since Juan Martín del Potro to defeat a world No 1.

A win would’ve meant that Navone would reach the third round of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career.

But Sinner denied Navone that feat.

‘Party’

In a stadium with a seating capacity of 10 500, it was evident that most of that capacity comprised of Sinner fans, by the frequent chanting of ‘Ole Ole Ole Ole, Sinner, Sinner’, and the obvious visibility of ‘carota’ orange dotted around the stadium, particularly visible in the evening light.

The Saturday atmosphere around the grounds became a daytime party – even Sinner’s practice session earlier in the day drew crowds who found any way they could to get a glimpse of their hero.

But it was a ‘Super Sports Saturday’ in Rome.

The neighbouring Stadio Olimpico had over 50 000 football fans descend for an all-Italian Lazio vs Juventus clash.

In an incredible show of support, football fans also chanted ‘Ole Ole Ole Ole, Sinner Sinner’, echoing the tennis fans within the Foro Italico.

Football, tennis and Italy celebrated as one under the Roman sun.

Impressively, there were very few moments of rustiness, given that this was Sinner’s first match since the hiatus.

Sinner faced an early break point in the first set at 1-all and also another in the second set.

Overall, it was a praiseworthy and dominant performance by the Italian, who, aside from struggling with his forehand at times, managed to get into his rhythm fairly quickly.

From the start, Sinner displayed power and agility at the baseline, with great movement.

Jannik Sinner’s victory was sealed with a booming serve down the ‘T’.

At his post-match press conference, he spoke of the welcome reception by his fans.

“Well, it’s for sure on the top spot, no? It has been amazing to go again on court after such a long time, having a great support also in the last days. From the first day I came here, it has been amazing. Yeah, I was waiting for this moment quite a long time. Really it doesn’t matter as much as all the rest matters. So I’m very happy about today. Obviously happy to play at least one more match here, then we see how it goes.

Jannik Sinner’s next opponent is Dutch player Jesper De Jong on Monday afternoon.

Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the Internazionali BNL d’Italia at the Foro Italico, Rome

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