In a heartbreaking turn of events, Margith Rauchegger, the beloved aunt of rising tennis star Jannik Sinner, has tragically passed away at the young age of 56 after battling a severe illness. The young Italian had recently dedicated his victory at the US Open to her, expressing his deep love and gratitude for the role she played in his life alongside his brother Mark when their parents were away working.
The emotional dedication came as a surprise to many, as Sinner spoke highly of his aunt during the on-court interview following his triumph. “I love tennis, I train so much to experience moments like this, but these days I realized that there is a life outside the court too. I think about my aunt who is not well. She is a very important person to me with whom I have shared so many beautiful moments. I would really like to see her get better,” the ATP No.1 shared during the award ceremony.
When pressed on the spontaneity of his dedication, Sinner revealed, “I never think beforehand about the speeches I could eventually make. In those things I am very instinctive. The dedication was spontaneous because, after the match, I realized all at once what I was going through. My aunt is important, I spent a lot of time with her in the summer when I was little. She took me to ski races when my parents were busy with work. Traveling so much, unfortunately I spend little time with the people I care about. And I’m sorry,” the grief-stricken player expressed.
As Sinner lands in China to take part in the upcoming tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai, the tennis world is waiting to see if this heartbreaking loss will alter his plans for the future. Amidst this difficult time, the sport stands united in supporting Sinner through this emotional journey as he continues to chase his dreams on the court.