As of: February 4, 2024, 7:19 a.m
By: Luca Hartmann
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Shortly before Jannik Sinner's first Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open, there was a serious accident in Jannik Sinner's hometown.
The tennis star reacts with dismay.
Sexten/Rome - In addition to the exuberant celebratory mood after Jannik Sinner's Australian Open victory, there is also deep sadness in the Italian's birthplace: Shortly before his first Grand Slam success, the greatest triumph in Sinner's career to date, it occurs in the South Tyrolean community Sexten to a serious accident.
Sinner himself is shocked by the events and foregoes planned celebrations.
Accident tragedy in Sinner's hometown of Sexten
What happened?
Six days before Sinner's victory, a mother and two of her three children from Sexten died in a car accident.
The woman drove her car into the opposite lane in Assling and crashed into a bus.
The mother and her seven-year-old son died at the scene of the accident.
Another son (10) died from his injuries shortly afterwards.
Only the third son (13) survived the terrible accident with serious injuries and is now left behind with his father.
The deceased children were considered big tennis and Sinner fans.
They didn't live to see their role model's Grand Slam victory.
The funeral took place in Sesto one day after the Italian's victory in the final over Daniil Medvedev.
Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner decided not to visit due to a serious accident in his hometown.
© IMAGO/Matteo Nardone
After winning the Australian Open: Sinner decided not to visit Sesto
The news of the accident drama reached Sinner a short time later, who then canceled his celebration plans in Sexten.
“My intention was actually to go home after the tournament to see my parents and my loved ones.
However, there has been a tragedy in the past few days,” Sinner said at a press conference in Rome on Wednesday.
“The mother and two sons were killed in a car accident and the third son is in hospital.
“The dad was left alone, so to speak, and is now supporting his injured son in the hospital,” said Sinner, visibly moved.
For this reason, the 22-year-old is foregoing a visit and a big celebration.
“It's a very difficult situation.
It would be totally inappropriate to hold a party in Sesto now.
“I don’t know how I would react,” said the tennis superstar.
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Sinner extends his stay in Rome
Instead, Sinner stays in Rome for a few days longer, where he has already been received by the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Shortly afterwards he met President Sergio Mattarella and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in the Italian capital.
However, it is unclear when he will return to his hometown of Sesto.
After his stay in Rome, he will probably return to his adopted home of Monte Carlo.
In an emotional Facebook post, she expressed that the Italian community is also happy for Sinner despite the misfortune.
It said: “Thank you, Jannik.
In this difficult time you bring us joy and encourage us.
You are a great role model for all of us.”
(LuHa)