Jannik Sinner lands Winter Olympics role days after dramatic Australian Open loss

Jannik Sinner was spotted working as a train ticket inspector, as he threw himself into his Winter Olympics ambassadorial role.

Just days after his heart-breaking Australian Open exit, the tennis star has returned home to Italy to volunteer at the 25th edition of the Games.

AFP

Sinner saw his title defence ended in brutal fashion Down Under, as he was knocked out by Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

Despite holding a 2-1 set lead, the Italian was unable to close out the match as Djokovic fought back to win the five-set thriller.

Sinner now looks to be putting recent disappointment behind him after jetting back to Europe for the Winter Olympics.

The 24-year-old is an ambassador for the global event, which is being held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in northern Italy.

He has plenty of personal ties to the Games, having been a talented skier as a child before opting to focus on tennis.

Getting stuck in

Sinner hasn’t shied away from getting involved in the Winter Olympics, with footage on social media hilariously showed him working as a train ticket inspector.

The four-time Grand Slam champion can be seen checking the tickets of fans travelling to the Games on public transport.

Joining him for the fun gig was Paralympic fencing champion Bebe Vio, who addressed stunned passengers via megaphone.

Smiling, Vio tells the crowd: “You’ve got my assistant today, he is Jannik and he’s ready to obliterare [Italian for ‘stamp’].”

The tennis star certainly looked to be loving life in his new role, as he smiled while greeting fans on the door and punched their tickets.

Instagram: @outpump

Instagram: @outpump

Sinner’s volunteer gig looks to be his last involvement in the Winter Olympics for the time being, as he then missed Friday’s Opening Ceremony in favour of beginning his preparations for the Qatar Open.

The Middle East event gets underway on February 16, with Djokovic and 2026 Australian Open champion Carlos Alcaraz also taking part.

In Sinner’s place, Italian tennis was represented by Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone at the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics, who were among the torchbearers.

Sinner’s ski background

Sinner was the first official volunteer named for the Winter Olympics in 2024, and he cited his skiing background as the reason behind this.

His parents worked in a ski lodge where his father was a chef and his mother was a waitress.

Nicknamed ‘Jan the Fox’ as a school kid, he became a national giant slalom skiing champion aged eight before making tennis his priority.

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Discussing his Winter Olympics role in 2024, Sinner said: “Sport has always been a fundamental part of my life, particularly winter sports.

He added: “I’m proud to represent the passion for these extraordinary disciplines and the desire to contribute to the success of a unique event. I would love to carry the Olympic torch.

“At all the greatest sporting events, volunteers have the opportunity to make the experience unforgettable for us athletes.

“I learned to ski when I was just a child, and since then, the adrenaline of the descents and the allure of the snow-covered mountains have accompanied me every winter.

“The Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics and Paralympics will take place in places that are very special to me.

“I grew up in one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. Our mountains are a wonder. Skiing for me is like walking. It’s a great honour to be part of these Olympics.”

AFP

As he turns his attention to his tennis schedule, Sinner will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the Games over the next few weeks, which run until the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, February 22.