Jannik Sinner was ambushed by Roger Federer's coach with private invitation (2024)

Jannik Sinner was invited to practice with Roger Federer at the 2019 Halle Open (Image: Getty)

Jannik Sinner is playing his first tournament as the new world No. 1 at this week’s Halle Open. The Italian has come a long way since he received a wildcard into the qualifying event in Halle five years ago, when he was just 17.

Although he was a relatively unknown prospect in 2019, he was clearly on Roger Federer’s radar as the Swiss star’s coach approached Sinner with an invitation.

The world No. 1 never managed to play Federer in a professional match before the 20-time Grand Slam champion retired. But he did enjoy a memorable first practice session together in Halle five years ago.

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A teenage Sinner was ambushed by Severin Luthi, Federer’s coach of 15 years, in the player hotel. “I remember Luthi stopping me on the stairs of the hotel and asking me if I could warm [Federer] up for his match,” the Australian Open champion told the ATP.

“I said, ‘Of course, yes.' It was a very good feeling, a special feeling.” Although Sinner lost in the first round of the qualifying event, he proved to be a valuable practice partner for Federer, who went on to win the tournament for the 10th time.

Looking back on the training session, Sinner continued: “I didn't have the chance to play against Roger in an official match, and this is something that I will always miss, but I do remember the practice sessions with him. I didn't have many, so I do remember every single one, more or less.”

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Roger Federer went on to lift the Halle Open trophy for the 10th time that year (Image: Getty)

The 42-year-old also gave Sinner some valuable advice which helped him in his quest to become a Grand Slam champion and world No. 1. “He gave me just kind of mental advice: Try to enjoy it and keep looking forward to working hard. That's the only thing he told me, and it was very nice to share a court with him,” he added.

It seems Federer had a knack for scouting talent during the 2019 grass-court season. After hitting with Sinner in Halle, he had a practice session with Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon a couple of weeks later, set up by Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

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Jannik Sinner is playing his first tournament as a world No. 1 in Halle this week (Image: Getty)

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