Jannik Sinner won the Italian Open and ended a long drought for Italian players in Rome. He later shared emotional reflections on his time with children from a local hospital's cancer ward. The experience came shortly after a separate incident involving fellow Italian Luciano Darderi.
Sinner defeated his opponent in the final at the Rome Masters on May 17. The tournament partnered with Gemelli Hospital to let young patients from the cancer department serve as mascots and walk onto the court with players. After the match Sinner said the moments changed his perspective on the sport's privileges. He added that even small gestures brought visible joy to the children and made him happy. One boy was especially small so Sinner slowed his pace while entering the court together.
