Jannik Sinner’s rise to tennis superstardom has been anything but ordinary, and neither is his family’s unexpected connection to Formula 1. While most athletes have entourages filled with coaches and trainers, Sinner’s inner circle includes a brother who’d rather be trackside at Monza than in the stands at Wimbledon.
This quirky dynamic has become a running joke in the tennis world, with Sinner himself leaning into the humor, proving that even at the pinnacle of sports, family keeps you grounded. Whether it’s playfully calling out his brother’s F1 obsession or admitting he sneaks in race highlights between matches, Sinner’s off-court personality is as engaging as his on-court brilliance—and it all starts with the unlikeliest of sibling rivalries.
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The Sinner Brothers: Tennis, Racing, and a Playful Rivalry
Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon 2025 victory wasn’t just about tennis; it was also a family affair with a Formula 1 twist. The newly crowned champion couldn’t resist cracking a joke about his brother Marc’s priorities during the trophy ceremony, revealing a dynamic that’s as entertaining as it is endearing. “Special thanks to my brother, because there’s no Formula 1 race this weekend. That’s why he’s here,” Sinner quipped, sending the crowd into laughter. It wasn’t the first time Marc’s love for motorsports clashed with Jannik’s biggest matches, and it perfectly sums up their sibling banter.
Earlier this year, during the Italian Open final, Marc skipped Jannik’s showdown with Carlos Alcaraz to attend the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Sinner, ever the good sport, joked about it in his runner-up speech, proving that even in defeat, he keeps things lighthearted. Fast forward to Wimbledon, and Marc finally made it to a major final, but only because the F1 calendar gave him a free weekend. The irony wasn’t lost on fans, who’ve come to love Jannik’s candid, down-to-earth personality.
Jannik Sinner after beating Carlos Alcaraz to win Wimbledon
“Special thanks to my brother because there’s no Formula 1 race this weekend. That’s why he’s here” 💀💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/iTMAzo0uuM
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 13, 2025
The Sinner brothers’ relationship is a refreshing contrast to the intense world of elite sports. While Jannik battles for Grand Slam titles, Marc is a dedicated motorsports fan, often choosing races over tennis when schedules collide. But when he does show up, it seems to bring good luck — Jannik snapped a five-match losing streak against Alcaraz at Wimbledon, finally avenging his heartbreaking French Open loss. Maybe Marc should reconsider his priorities more often.
The Perfect Balance: F1 Fandom and Tennis Dominance
Jannik Sinner’s love for Formula 1 isn’t just a family quirk; it’s a full-blown passion. During Wimbledon, he was asked if he’d sneak away to catch the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. His response? A cheeky, “No, no, no, no. I have to be focused on this tournament,” followed by a confession that he’d still try to watch qualifying sessions between practice. That’s the Sinner charm: disciplined enough to stay locked in, but human enough to admit he’d rather be watching fast cars.
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His ability to balance professionalism with personality is part of what makes him so relatable. While most athletes stick to bland, media-trained answers, Sinner isn’t afraid to let his fandom slip. Whether joking about his brother’s absence or admitting he times his training around F1 sessions, he keeps things real. And it’s working—his Wimbledon win wasn’t just a triumph of skill, but of mindset. After the crushing Roland Garros defeat, where he blew three championship points, he regrouped, refocused, and came back stronger. His emotional speech at SW19 showed just how much it meant: “This is mostly emotional because I had a very tough loss in Paris… but we accepted it and kept working.”
Now, with four Grand Slams and a firm grip on the No. 1 ranking, Sinner is shaping a legacy, both on and off the court. His rivalry with Alcaraz is the stuff of legend, but his off-court persona, shaped by family quirks and F1 fandom, makes him stand out even more. Marc might still pick races over tennis sometimes, but after this Wimbledon win, he might just have to clear his schedule more often. After all, who wouldn’t want to witness history in the making?