Jannik Sinner’s Family: The People Cheering Him On from Afar

As Jannik Sinner gets ready to defend his Wimbledon title (that means he won last year and now tries to win again at the big tennis tournament in England), his family is supporting him. Even if they aren’t sitting in the stands at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, they are still with him in spirit.

Jannik Made a Big Move at Age 13

Jannik is a world-famous tennis player. Earlier this year, he talked about a tough choice he made as a kid:

Important Point: When Jannik was just 13 years old, he left his home to live at a special training center to practice tennis. He said, “I consider myself very lucky. Lucky because, when I was 13, I made a choice to leave home and to go to a centre to practice.”

He explained that for parents, especially a mother, it is very hard to let a child go. He said:

“I think this for parents is very difficult, especially for a mother, to accept that in a way, to just go and leave home. I think it was tough for me, but it was for sure more tough for my parents because they also would like to see the kid growing up.”

Jannik also shared that he missed spending time with his mom and dad. He wants to catch up now. His maternal grandparents (his mom’s parents) are still alive, and his mom wants to stay home to be with them. He understands that, but he wishes for more family time too.

Meet His Parents: Hanspeter and Siglinde

Jannik’s mom and dad are Siglinde and Hanspeter (his dad also goes by Johann). Here are the simple facts:

• When Jannik was growing up, his parents worked at a ski lodge (a cozy place where people stay to ski).
• Today, they still focus on running their own guest house called Haus Sinner (like a small family hotel).
• Because they are busy with work, they often cannot travel to watch Jannik’s matches.
• In 2024, Jannik told reporters: “So they are always working and that’s what I love about them. They’re not changing anything with me.”

Earlier this year, Jannik said sweet things about his mom and dad:

“My mom is definitely a role model, and I’m very happy to have my mum, and very happy to have my dad, and they are a true inspiration for me. I just try to be a little bit like them, because then I know that I’m a good person.”

Below is a picture from earlier this year:

Sinner’s parents earlier this year. (Photo: Jean Catuffe // Getty Images)

Jannik’s Brother, Mark Sinner

Jannik has an older brother named Mark. Let’s learn about him:

• Mark was born in Russia in 1998.
• When Mark was nine months old, Jannik’s parents adopted him (that means they legally made him part of their family).
• Two years later, in 2001, Jannik was born.
• Mark works as a fire brigade instructor in South Tyrol, Italy (he teaches people how to be firefighters).
• Mark told an Italian newspaper called Il Messaggero: “I am used to not seeing him at home, but when he returns it’s wonderful. Every week of the year is busy with training and tournaments, so we try to keep updated by phone almost daily. On the court, as off, he has always been a very calm guy…Popularity hasn’t changed us at all.”

Here is a photo of Mark with his parents and brother:

Sinner’s brother Mark is on the left, with their parents. (Photo: Nicolò Campo // Getty Images)

Summary

Let’s recap the key points in a friendly way:

• Jannik Sinner left home at 13 to train for tennis, which was a big sacrifice for his parents.
• His mom (Siglinde) and dad (Hanspeter/Johann) run a guest house called Haus Sinner and can’t often attend his matches, but he loves them for staying true to themselves.
• His brother Mark, adopted from Russia, is a firefighter teacher and stays in touch by phone almost every day.
• Even if they aren’t at Wimbledon in person, the family is a huge source of love and inspiration for Jannik.

FAQ

1. Why isn’t Jannik Sinner’s family at Wimbledon in person?
His parents are busy running their guest house, and his mom wants to stay near her own parents. His brother has a full-time job as a fire brigade instructor. They support Jannik from home.

2. What are the names of Jannik’s parents?
His mother is Siglinde and his father is Hanspeter (who also uses the name Johann). They used to work at a ski lodge and now run Haus Sinner.

3. How is Mark Sinner related to Jannik?
Mark was adopted from Russia when he was a baby. Jannik is their biological son born two years later. They are brothers in every way.

4. What does Jannik think about his parents?
He calls them his role models and true inspiration. He tries to be like them so he can be a good person.

5. How do Jannik and his brother stay close?
They talk on the phone almost daily, and when Jannik returns home from tournaments, it’s a wonderful time together.

About the Author

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.