A tearful Jannik Sinner dedicated his US Open title victory on Sunday to his aunt, who he revealed is battling serious ill health, admitting: "I don't know how much longer I will have her in my life".
World number one Sinner, 23, clinched his second Grand Slam title of the season when he swept aside Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 before fighting back tears on the trophy podium. "I love tennis, I practice a lot for these stages but I realise that there is also a life away from the tennis courts and I would like to dedicate this to my aunt who is not feeling well," said Sinner. "I don't know how much longer I will have her in my life.
It's nice I can still share these moments with her. She is an important person in my life and still is. Jannik Sinner dedicates his US Open title to his aunt pic.twitter.com/E2YTjGSRUf "If there was a wish I could make I would wish good health on everyone but unfortunately it's not possible." Sinner had arrived in New York under a cloud after it was revealed he had failed two drug tests but escaped sanction.
He was cleared of all wrong-doing although some fellow players questioned the decision, suggesting that Sinner may have benefitted from preferential treatment due to his high-profile status in the sport. "This title means so much because the last period of my career was not easy.