As Jannik Sinner chases history at the 2026 Italian Open, he is enjoying strong support from his loved ones at the ATP Masters 1000 event. Although the world No. 1 has faced little resistance during his dominant run to the semifinals, he acknowledged how the occasional tense moments impact his mother, Siglinde, in the stands.
Why Jannik Sinner’s Mother Leaves the Stands Mid-Match
Sinner locked horns with No. 12 seed Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open, producing a commanding display to notch a 6-2, 6-4 win in an hour and 32 minutes. Alongside his parents, the 24-year-old also had his brother Mark, who was accompanied by his girlfriend, cheering him from the stands during his stellar triumph.
Italian football legend Paolo Maldini also attended the high-profile clash and later caught up with Sinner in the locker room after his victory. During their conversation, the four-time Grand Slam champion opened up about his mother’s tendency to leave mid-match when the tension becomes too overwhelming for her.
“When she sees that the match is not stressful, she stays. Then when it’s too much she leaves,” Sinner said.
Sinner, however, appears unfazed by his mother’s anxiety. In an earlier interview at the Italian Open, he said that he appreciates how her nerves balance out his father’s composure during matches.
“It’s very nice, I don’t see them as much as maybe other players do at times. So, I’m very happy to share these moments with them. They’re wonderful parents. Sometimes, even during matches I like to look at them. My mom is very stressed and my dad’s very calm. So it’s a good combination. Very happy. Maybe also my brother comes on Monday, so it would be nice,” he said.
MORE: ‘Mom Is Very Stressed’ – Jannik Sinner Explains Why His Parents’ Presence Matters at Italian Open
Speaking to a reporter after their conversation, Maldini showered praise on Sinner and shed light on the topics they had discussed in the locker room.
“It’s an honor. I’ve already met him because he’s been to Milanello, being a Milan fan, but seeing him live is really impressive. There are no words left for describing the player. I would focus on the person because, in my opinion, his character makes a difference,” he said. “We talked about football, tennis, recovery, tiredness, lots of things. Normal stuff.”
Jannik Sinner is aiming to complete the Career Golden Masters at the Italian Open, a feat that only Novak Djokovic has achieved on the ATP Tour. To keep that dream alive, he will have to get past No. 7 seed Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals. The world No. 1 heads into the contest with an advantage, having won each of their last four meetings and holding a 9-7 lead in their head-to-head record.
