“Signing With F1 & Going to Ferrari”: Fans Defend Jannik Sinner & Team After Novak Djokovic Takes a Jab at ATP Awards

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner developed quite a rivalry by the end of the 2023 season. The World No.1’s statement about the Italian star’s coaching team winning the ATP 2023 Best Coach of the Year Award, has not gone unnoticed for sure. JSimone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill were declared joint winners after Sinner had a breakout season of sorts, despite not winning a Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic did congratulate Jannik Sinner on his Instagram story while lauding his coaches. But even then, he did not miss out on an opportunity to take another dig at the ATP. It was widely expected that Goran Ivanisevic, the Serb’s coach and the 2001 Wimbledon champion, would take home the coach’s award.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion’s statement was met with a lot of resistance by Jannik Sinner’s supporters. This is because the Best Coach of the Year award is bestowed to anyone after every coach’s vote on the ATP Tour is considered. So Sinner himself or even the ATP had no role as such in the decision.

There is a school of thought that Djokovic’s comment ruined such a wonderful moment for Sinner, who is barely as experienced as compared to the Serbian legend. Some comments also were directed at the World No.1’s anger issues, as he has got suggestions to direct it more towards his own game and other coaches rather than the ATP. A part of the tennis community feels that Jannik Sinner’s coaches deserve the award for his rapid rise on the Tour in 2023.

I get Djokovic’s frustration with Coach of the Year eluding Ivanisevic – I guess that’s the price to pay when you’ve set the bar so high, people automatically assume your coach has limited scope, which is simply untrue

That said, Sinner is a transformed player from a year ago…

— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) December 14, 2023

Who vote for this result? Between atp coaches right? I don’t get his fans are giving negative comment on Jannik and his team. Like its their fault and insulting them for this outcome.The funny part Jannik just having a blast of his life. Signing with F1 and going to Ferrari

— WTJHD (@WTJHD1) December 14, 2023

Jannik Sinner announces a partnership with Formula 1

Jannik Sinner is now a Friend of F1. The World No.4 is a big admirer of motorsport, and how could that not be? Sinner comes from Italy, which has a proud heritage when it comes to automobiles and subsequently, Formula 1. He was quoted as saying recently when the partnership was announced via an official press release –

“Being Italian, F1 is in my blood, so I couldn’t be more excited to be working with not only the best brand in motorsports, but the best sports platform in the world. I am honored to be given this opportunity and truly thrilled to be a ‘Friend of F1’. Putting it simply, I love cars, motorsports, and the thrill of racing and competing.”

Sinner already has a partnership with Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo since 2020. Now, with Formula 1 added to his endorsement list, it is clear that Sinner is a sought-after athlete in the brand market.