Davis Cup champion Jannik Sinner on his love of F1 and the 'synergies between tennis and racing'

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has spoken of his love for motorsport as he becomes a Friend of F1 ahead of the 2024 season.

Sinner, 22, is one of the brightest young talents in tennis and is a 10-time title winner on the ATP Tour, including a Masters 1000 crown at this year’s Canadian Open. He also played a crucial role in securing Italy's first Davis Cup victory in 47 years back in November and recently climbed to a career-high player ranking of fourth in the world.

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As a Friend of F1, Sinner will attend certain Grands Prix, where he will support F1 in the promotion of the sport through fan engagement. In recent years, both Formula 1 and tennis have attracted a younger and more diverse audience, and Sinner’s support of F1 will encourage a closer crossover between the two sports' fan bases.

Expressing his excitement to be joining forces with F1, Sinner said: “Being Italian, F1 is in my blood, so I couldn’t be more excited to be working with not only the best brand in motorsports, but the best sports platform in the world. I am honoured to be given this opportunity and truly thrilled to be a Friend of F1.”

He added: “Putting it simply, I love cars, motorsport, and the thrill of racing and competing.

“One of the main reasons why I love F1, whether that’s watching, karting with my friends, or racing in a simulator, is because I feel there’s a lot of synergies between tennis and racing. I feel that in both sports it’s all about the 1% and it’s the small details that make a huge difference.

“I find it so interesting how teams can improve the car, and how the drivers maximise their performance and their skill set to beat their rival by milliseconds. It’s fascinating how they compete and perform under the most extreme pressure at the highest-level week in and week out.”

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Sinner went on to describe the upcoming collaboration with F1 as a “huge privilege”, as he looks forward to “bringing special projects to life” for tennis audiences and vice versa.

“I want to help showcase the amazing things that [the] sport of racing has to offer and Formula 1 are the perfect partner to do so,” the rising tennis star added.

“This relationship is something totally different and unique, we’re both in such competitive environments and I think there’s a lot of synergies between the two, which this partnership will showcase.”

Stefano Domenicali, CEO and President of Formula 1 said: “Jannik is one of the most talented and exciting young athletes in the world right now so I am delighted that he will become a Friend of F1.

“As we continue to grow and engage new and diverse fans, it is vital that we continue to work with people outside of our sport to attract new audiences. This exciting opportunity will allow us to use Jannik’s incredible platform and bring together the worlds of F1 and tennis.”

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