Sereno Sinner "Wada, I know it happened"

"I know what happened". The heart of the calm champion opens. Sure, optimistic, in the year in which he aims to confirm the myth and fights against the ghosts of the case clostebolIt couldn't have started better than this.Australian Open di Jannik Sinner, victory in three sets (7-6, 7-6, 6-1) over the terrible Jarry and a face to face at the Tas with the Wada which seems to be less and less scary: "For me this has not been an easy period but I am optimistic – Jannik replies to yet another question on the subject –. They always told me that it was not my fault, that there was no willfulness and what was in my body was such a low value that I don't think anything can happen".

The Italian says he has left the hardest months behind him. "Each of us in life goes through good times and difficult times". And the anxieties, at least for the moment, must be put aside given that the decisive match between Wada and the 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria will only play on April 16 and 17. Jannik has the largest portion of the tennis world on his side, with, to tell the truth, few detractors. One above all is Nick Kyrgios, who in the months has set up a sort of social crusade against the Italian. The Aussie, however, left the tournament yesterday in a sort of psychodrama match, with the pain in his abdominals returning undaunted. From Fearnley he takes a 7-6, 6-3, 7-6, with the home crowd all on his side, loses and leaves angrily: "I could only give 65% - and adds -, it was probably my last singles match here". So the showdown on the court with the 23-year-old from Alto Adige does not arrive. In recent months, Kyrgios, who returned to competition to aim "for a Slam", had announced that in the event of a direct confrontation with Sinner the stadium would become a cauldron. With the crowd on his side, he would do everything to win. Sinner will have two days of rest ahead of him. Good for reorganizing your thoughts and recovering your energy after the match with Jarry, which lasted over two and a half hours and was marked by service: not the best way to get used to a Slam. Also because to describe the 'status of sinner Sinner', Nicola Pietrangeli's phrase given to 'Politica nel pallone' fits perfectly: "It's a bit like in the old westerns where they put a price on whoever kills him. Everyone wants to beat the number 1".

The title defense continues in the second round. Waiting for Jannik (in the Italian night between Wednesday and Thursday), there is Schoolkate, home wild card, for a task that on paper should be much easier than the challenge with the Chilean. The number 173 in the world can live with open eyes the dream of challenging the leader. Because the Slams often become the kingdom of fairy tales. Just like that of Francesco Passaro (104 ATP): the Italian entered the draw thanks to the forfeit of Fabio Fognini, with the prospect of a super match against Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian talent however retires due to a leg problem, freeing the way for Passaro, already ahead 7-5, and now for the first time he is in the second round of a Major. A fairy tale like that of Lucia Bronzetti, victory by 6-6, 7-6 over Vika Azarenka, and the Italian hope is ignited.