As the ATP Challenger Tour returns to Bergamo this week, it’s impossible not to look back at one of the tournament’s most memorable stories: the moment a quiet, red-haired 17-year-old from South Tyrol announced himself to the tennis world.
His name was Jannik Sinner—and his first ATP Challenger title in February of 2019 was the beginning of a remarkable rise.
Back then, Sinner arrived in Bergamo almost out of nowhere. Fresh from an ITF Pro Circuit event in distant Aktobe, Kazakhstan, and armed with nothing but a wild card and a single hour of practice on the indoor courts, he stunned the field at the Internazionali di Tennis Trofeo Faip-Perrel. One victory followed the next: Lucas Miedler, then No.9 seed Salvatore Caruso, Viktor Galovic, No.4 seed Gianluigi Quinzi and Tristan Lamasine. His run culminated in a one-sided 6–3, 6–1 final win over fellow Italian Roberto Marcora.
Impressive performance
What stood out was not only Sinner’s age, but the authority with which he played. Calm, focused, barely betraying emotion, he overwhelmed seasoned opponents with his clean, aggressive ball-striking. The teenager showcased all the elements that today define his game: explosive forehands, a rock-solid backhand, quick movement despite his height and a willingness to finish points at the net.
