The remarkable mental advice Roger Federer gave to Jannik Sinner

Italian Jannik Sinner is the ATP world number one after an incredible start to 2024. Was it the advice he received from Roger Federer at 17 that spurred him to the top?

Sinner takes on the Halle Open in his first match as world number one against Tallon Griekspoor. The Halle Open already has a special place in the Italian's heart after the special warm-up matches he played with Federer as a teenager.

According to the ATP Tour website, in 2019, Sinner was walking around the players' on-site hotel at the Halle Open when he was intercepted by Severin Luthi, the coach of the 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer.

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Sinner told the ATP Tour website: "I remember Luthi stopping me on the stairs of the hotel and asking me if I could warm [Federer] up for his match. I said, 'Of course, yes.' It was a very good feeling, a special feeling."

Sinner's warm-up matches with Federer inspired the Swiss legend to his tenth and final Halle Open title. Despite the practice sessions they shared, Sinner never got to play Federer in a competitive match, but he still remembers the crucial advice he gave him.

According to Asian News International, Sinner said: "I didn't have the chance to play against Roger in an official match, and this is something that I will always miss, but I do remember the practice sessions with him."

"He gave me just kind of mental advice: Try to enjoy it and keep looking forward to working hard. That's the only thing he told me, and it was very nice to share a court with him."

It seems as though Sinner has followed Federer's advice with the year he has had so far, coming into the Halle Open with a 33-3 record in 2024.

The Italian has won three titles, including his maiden Grand Slam win at the Australian Open in January. Sinner has also won ATP Rotterdam and ATP Miami, according to the ATP website.

After becoming the world number one and a Grand Slam champion, could a maiden tour-level grass court title be on the cards for the 22-year-old? He has the chance at the Halle Open and Wimbledon in July.

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