Jannik Sinner after winning the Six Kings Slam 2025: the journey from difficult family to world tennis star

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia– After a resounding victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the **Six Kings Slam 2025** final, Jannik Sinner not only took home a record prize of $6 million, but also spoke about his family’s sacrifice-filled journey. The world number 1 Italian tennis player touched the tennis community by talking about his parents, hard workers who borrowed money to cultivate his tennis dream. “My father works as a chef in a ski lodge, and my mother is a waitress. They both had to take out loans to be able to support me in tennis. Now, as the head of the family, I have to pay the money back, especially to my mother,” Sinner said chokingly in the post-match press conference. And then, a tearful 10-word message from his mother spread, changing the entire tennis world’s view of this talented young man.

Vittoria storica al Six Kings Slam 2025: Sinner “Wipe Out” Alcaraz

On October 18, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Jannik Sinner successfully defended the **Six Kings Slam** championship with a crushing 6-2, 6-4 victory over his biggest rival Carlos Alcaraz. This is the second consecutive time that Sinner has defeated the “King of the Clay Court” in the final of the Saudi Arabia-sponsored exhibition event, with a total prize of up to $6 million, the largest amount in tennis history.

The match lasted just 73 minutes, during which Sinner displayed flawless play with his unbreakable serve and precise groundstrokes. Before that, he defeated Novak Djokovic in the semifinals with the score of 6-4, 6-2, continuing his unbeaten streak against the legend of 24 Grand Slam titles. The event bringing together six of the world’s best tennis players (including Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Djokovic) not only brings huge prizes but also demonstrates Sinner’s dominance in 2025, the year he won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

With this victory Sinner not only consolidated his position as number 1 in the ATP, but also sent a strong message: from the boy from the Dolomites to the top of the world, everything was born from the silent sacrifice of his parents.

A difficult journey: from skiing to tennis, between debts and tears

Born in 2001 in Sesto, Alto Adige, Jannik Sinner grew up in a simple working-class family. His father Johann Sinner worked as a chef at the ski pension Talschlusshutte, while his mother Siglinde worked as a waitress at the same place. They met here and it was the harsh mountain environment that trained the boy Jannik, who was national skiing champion in the children’s category before moving on to tennis at the age of 7.

At the age of 14 Sinner decided to leave home for Bordighera to train at the Piatti Tennis Center, a move that required significant financial support from his parents. Johann and Siglinde had to borrow to pay for education, transportation and equipment, even though their income was barely enough for daily living. “They worked from morning to night, without a word of complaint. I grew up watching my father cook for more than 40 years, my mother waited tables with a smile on her face,” Sinner once shared in his autobiography.

He has an adopted brother named Mark (born 1998 in Russia), who is always a source of spiritual encouragement. Even though he is busy with his passion for F1, Mark still tries to be present at his younger brother’s big matches. The family’s sacrifice was not just money, but also long nights of worry, when Sinner had to become independent from an early age: cooking, doing laundry and dealing with injuries.

“Now I am the breadwinner”: Sinner’s promise to repay the debt

After winning the Six Kings Slam, Sinner cried when talking about his parents. “Now, as the head of the family, I have to pay that money back, especially to my mother,” he said in Italian, his voice trembling. Johann has now joined his son’s team as a chef, cooking traditional Italian dishes to keep Sinner healthy during big tournaments. “Dad not only cooks, but also brings warmth to the family,” Sinner smiled, remembering the simple meals at the mountain inn.

Siglinde, a humble woman, has always been a silent source of inspiration. He often cries with emotion every time his son competes, such as at the 2024 ATP Finals or 2025 Wimbledon. And then, after the victory in Riyadh, he sent him a short message of just 10 words: **”My son, you have won for us. Now rest and love.”** (Son, you have won for us. Now rest and love). This message spread quickly on social networks, with millions of shares from tennis fans around the world. It is not only a congratulation, but also a testimony of maternal love, which has “changed the world of tennis” remembering that behind every glory there are tears of sacrifice.

The influence of the sinner: from personal history to global icon

Jannik Sinner’s story is not only about successes – 4 Grand Slams, 21 ATP titles and the position of world number 1 in 2024-2025 – but is also a source of inspiration for thousands of children who wish to dedicate themselves to tennis despite difficult circumstances. He founded a fund to support young talents in South Tyrol, helping families to borrow money without having to pay high interest as his parents experienced. “Tennis isn’t just for rich kids. I want every kid to have the opportunity, like I had,” Sinner said.

In a tennis context that testifies to the dominance of the younger generations (Sinner and Alcaraz have shared 9/10 of the last Grand Slam tournaments), the history of Sinner’s family carries with it a humanistic depth. Even Novak Djokovic, defeated several times by Sinner, praised: “Not only is he talented, but he also has a big heart.”

Conclusion: Jannik Sinner – Son, tennis player and icon

After the **Six Kings Slam 2025**, Jannik Sinner is not only the champion but also a living testimony to the power of family and determination. From mountain lodge loans to million-dollar prizes, his journey reminds us: True success is when you can “pay back” those who sacrificed for you. With the upcoming ATP Finals in his hometown of Turin, Sinner promises to continue to shine – not only on the court, but also in the hearts of the fans.