Lindsey Vonn's Praise for Jannik Sinner: A Skilled Tennis Player and Former Skier

"I've always thought that the fact that he was a former skier was something special, and it's this aspect that obviously brought us closer. He's a fairly shy guy, really humble and always very kind." Thus, Lindsey Vonn, former ski champion with 87 World Cup victories and an Olympic gold, described Jannik Sinner while talking to the ATP website: "He has a really excellent conception of sport, and I think part of this also comes from skiing. It's something we've talked about together a few times," added the thirty-nine-year-old American star. The two met two years ago, thanks to a ski trip in the mountains dear to the South Tyrolean, an occasion when the skier herself was amazed by the skills demonstrated by the young Italian: "He's very tall, and the taller you are, the harder it is to ski. But it was like watching him play tennis: very fluid and elegant, he manages to curve very well and seems to do everything effortlessly." Sinner, who has never hidden his passion for skiing, stating later that he had "diverted" to tennis because "in skiing if you make a mistake it's decisive", really impressed Vonn to the point of making her declare to the ATP website, recalling that outing on the snow, "feeling nervous next to him because I was afraid he might get hurt. But seeing him in action - she then stressed again - I realized that it wouldn't happen because he's really good as well as very elegant." Years of friendship, however, allowed Vonn to appreciate the maturation and growth of the twenty-two-year-old Italian culminated two weeks ago with his first success in a Slam at the Australian Open: "I'm not surprised by his success in Australia - Vonn told Atptour.com - I thought he would win it earlier, but he will definitely be a player we will continue to appreciate for a long time. And to be honest, he really reminds me of Roger (Federer, ed) in some aspects. In particular, he seems to have no fear and leaves everything on the field regardless of the situation he is facing."