Sinner, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, was unable to attend the ceremony, but he sent a message that touched the hearts of doctors, families, and children: “I wasn’t there, but my heart is with you. This isn’t my victory, it’s yours.”
A video of his message, shown during the event, was greeted with applause and tears: a moment that all of Italy called “Jannik Sinner’s greatest match.”**All of Italy stopped for a moment of pure emotion. The Policlinico Pediatrico in Milan, one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country, officially named its new Pediatric Emergency and Oncology Research Department after Jannik Sinner, in recognition of his record-breaking donation of €200 million. A gesture that, as the medical director said, “transforms victory into service and glory into hope.”
During the ceremony, among doctors, nurses, parents, and young patients, there were no trophies or rackets, but smiles, tears, and one word that echoed throughout the room: gratitude.
Unable to return to Italy due to his commitments in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Six Kings Slam tournament, Sinner decided to participate virtually.
His video message, broadcast on a large screen during the inauguration, moved everyone in attendance.
In a calm and visibly moved tone, he said:
“I wasn’t there, but my heart goes out to you.
This isn’t my victory, it’s yours.
Every child who fights, every doctor who doesn’t give up—you are the true champions.”
His words were greeted with prolonged applause, followed by a few tears and many smiles.
Many parents in attendance described the moment as “a caress for the soul.”
The Jannik Sinner Department will be a center of excellence dedicated not only to treatment but also to advanced research into childhood cancer.
The initiative includes:
- Pediatric Genetics and Immunotherapy Laboratories.
- Therapeutic play areas for children undergoing treatment.
- Psychological support programs for families and medical personnel.
- A “Garden of Courage,” a green space accessible to all young patients.
“This facility represents a new frontier in pediatric medicine,”
explained Dr. Francesca Rinaldi, head of the department.
“But its true driving force is the heart and soul of those who made it all possible.”
For those familiar with Sinner’s story, this gesture comes as no surprise.
Born and raised in the mountains of South Tyrol, Jannik has always remained committed to the values of simplicity, family, and work.
He has often stated that his career would be meaningless if it didn’t serve to inspire and give back.
“I’ve had a lot in life,” he said in an interview last year.
“But the greatest happiness is knowing you can make someone who’s suffering smile.”
And so, the reserved boy who prefers to talk with his rackets has written a page of solidarity destined to last longer than any victory on the court.
A country moved
The reactions were immediate.
From the President of the Republic to the world of sports, everyone wanted to thank the champion.
President Sergio Mattarella sent a personal letter:
“Jannik Sinner represents the best of Italy: the one that combines excellence and humanity.”
Matteo Berrettini, friend and colleague, posted on Instagram:
“Proud of you, brother.
Now that’s a number one win.”
Even Novak Djokovic, from Riyadh, commented during a press conference:
“It doesn’t matter who wins the tournaments… when you do something this big, you’ve already won the game of your life.”
The short video with Sinner’s message went viral in just a few hours.
Covered by Sky TG24 , RAI Sport , and dozens of international news outlets, it has garnered over 80 million views across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
The images show Jannik’s face in a sober setting, without sponsors or logos, just soft lighting and a white background.
At the end of the message, a simple sentence appears on the screen:
“Every point won on the court is worth a smile off it.”
The phrase, which has now become the project’s motto, has been printed on the walls of the new department.
On social media, the hashtag #SinnerDelCuore took over.
Fans, journalists, and public figures shared the tennis player’s gesture with messages of affection and admiration.
Corriere della Sera called him “the face of modern generosity.”
La Repubblica wrote: “On the day Sinner didn’t pick up his racket, he touched millions of hearts.”
At the end of his message, Sinner added a few words that will remain etched in our memory:
I promise this isn’t an isolated act.
As long as I can, I’ll continue to fight off the field, too—for those who can’t do it alone.
A silence, then applause.
A child, raising his hand, said:
“Jannik won for us.”
And maybe he was right.
Because sometimes, true champions don’t lift trophies: they raise hopes.
