Jannik Sinner’s relationship with the Italian fans has become fractured as of late.
Leading Italy to two Davis Cup titles and reaching number one in the world, Sinner was beloved by all just a year ago.
Things soon went downhill, though, when Sinner chose not to compete at the 2025 Davis Cup Finals in Bologna.
Italy still won the event, defending their title, but a large section of fans and former players continued to criticise the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Then, earlier this month, rumors circulated that Sinner had backed out of his plans to play a role in the Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony, instead choosing to practice ahead of the Qatar Open.
While it has now been suggested that the 24-year-old was never actually supposed to make an appearance, the damage had already been done.
But there’s hope for Sinner and his relationship with the Italian fans, if Jon Wertheim is to be believed…
Jon Wertheim thinks Jannik Sinner will appear at the Winter Olympics
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, Wertheim said the following.
“I heard, a little birdie told me, keep an eye on these Olympics and Jannik Sinner sightings, he’s not done,” he said.
“We’re going to see him…”
Wertheim’s co-host, Andy Roddick, then chimed in, suggesting when and where Sinner may appear.
“Great, so he’s going to do the closing ceremony,” he said.
The 2026 Winter Olympic closing ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, February 22.
Sinner will play the Qatar Open next week, which begins on Monday, February 16 and ends on Sunday, February 22.
If Sinner loses before the final, he should be free to travel home to Milan.
The fans would undoubtedly appreciate the gesture, potentially healing the relationship between Sinner and the Italians.
Who else is going to Doha for the Qatar Open?
Sinner won’t want to worry himself with Winter Olympic duties just yet, though, as he first sets his sights on the Qatar Open title.
A defeat before the final may fix his relationship with the fans, but he’d surely rather win his first title of the season.
It won’t be easy, as he travels to Qatar alongside his two biggest rivals, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic have shared the last 15 Grand Slams between themselves, and are rightly ranked number one, two, and three in the world.
If Sinner is to lift the iconic eagle trophy, the chances are he’ll need to beat one of Alcaraz or Djokovic in the Middle East.
They aren’t the only big names to have signed up either, as Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Jakub Mensik will all be seeded.
Only time will tell if Sinner can win the title, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
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