Maria Sharapova and Jannik Sinner.

Italian tennis prodigy Jannik Sinner gained invaluable experience and tactical guidance from mentors along his journey to the pinnacle of the game. Recently, his coach, Riccardo Piatti, shed light on a pivotal moment in Sinner’s development, a dinner meeting with legendary Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova.

At just 19 years old, Sinner has already captured the attention of the tennis world with his remarkable talent and composure on the court. Despite a recent loss to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the Miami event final, Sinner’s potential as a future superstar remains unquestionable.

In 2019, Piatti orchestrated a dinner rendezvous between Sinner and Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, with the aim of instilling in the young player the mindset required to ascend to the summit of the sport.

“I wanted Jannik to understand the mentality of a No. 1. Maria has priorities,” Piatti explained in an interview with ATPTour.com. “When she is on the court, she is watching the ball, hitting the ball, and doing everything perfect. When she plays points, she’s focused on playing the points. When she’s off the court, she’s focused on the fitness part, the physical part. When she finishes everything, she’s social. Maria is an example that she has a great mentality to be a champion,” he added.

The dinner meeting provided Sinner with invaluable insights into the rigorous mindset and dedication required to excel at the highest level of professional tennis. Sharapova’s disciplined approach to her craft served as a blueprint for Sinner, reinforcing the importance of focus, dedication, and unwavering commitment to success.

As Sinner continues his ascent in the tennis world, the lessons gleaned from his encounter with Sharapova serve as a guiding beacon, propelling him toward his ultimate goal of championship glory. With the support of his coach and the wisdom imparted by tennis luminaries like Sharapova, Sinner is poised to carve out a legacy of his own on the hallowed courts of the ATP Tour.