Binaghi and the Sinner 'pop' phenomenon. "In the world he is known as Meloni. But he must be protected, he is only 23 years old"

"Sinner? He's so popular that Sanremo might have to go to him. With Meloni he's the most famous Italian in the world." Jannik made it clear a month ago that he will not be at the Festival this time either. But at the Slam party, probably even Fitp president Angelo Binaghi feels like he is experiencing a deja vu of last year (when Amadeus' invitation arrived) after the carbon-copy victory at the Australian Open by the Alto Adige champion.

Binaghi, in 2024, more or less around this time, said that athletes like Sinner should be protected, does he still think the same now that he's a little older?

"Yes, last year I said that I would be surprised if he went to Sanremo because of how I know him. I confirm that we have to protect him because he is very popular and he is young, he is only 23. Like his peers he has the right to grow up, have fun and fall in love. But also to go on holiday and stay away from the spotlight when he is not playing. It is difficult but we are trying".

And will he go to Mattarella instead?

"I really think so."

Could you put the best moment of this Slam on your desk?

"Easy, for me it's always the celebration with arms raised. Of course, he didn't throw himself to the ground, he was much more composed and sober. But last year he was the emerging favorite, today, in 2025 he is the number one in the world. A very different situation".

And what do you like most about this 2025-format Sinner?

"Which is exactly like 2024. He plays like a champ, he is an example on and off the pitch. He says and does so many important things, I don't see how he can't be appreciated."

Then it's an incredible business card for our tennis with those three Majors and two Davis Cups...

"But we are trying to make tennis even more popular."

More than this? What is the way?

"It must be increasingly free-to-air on TV. It is shocking that to see our number 1s do extraordinary things and be an example like Sinner or Paolini, you have to pay a subscription. Pay TV killed tennis thirty years ago. The path then passes through compulsory school, where we are carrying out a massive project. This year we have taught tennis to 600 thousand children: it is the way to bring closer those who perhaps do not have much money and for this reason perhaps have not even practiced a sport. That is where you find the best human material, the kids with the greatest motivation".

Is this how you get to have a Sinner and 11 players in the ATP top 100?

"These guys are the result of a program that started more or less 25 years ago when we took over the federation. If all this had been done before, we probably would have had so many guys at the top for decades."

We are all holding our breath for another test that Sinner will have to take. The hearing at the Tas in April, what should we expect?

"We are confident that everything will go well and a reasonable decision will be made."

You know Jannik, how do you experience it?

"How would you experience it? However, even though it may have been a disturbing factor, it seems to me that the player has metabolised it."

Let's close with a name. Cahill will leave Jannik's bench at the end of the year, who would you see as a good fit in his place?

"Competent, good, prepared. Of all the names that are mentioned, I say Ivan Ljubicic."