Adriano Panatta attacks Nick Kyrgios and “social media tennis players”: “The sinner also wins in life” – then the fans applaud for Jannik’s message

The tennis world was gripped by a media storm after Italian tennis legend  Adriano Panatta made powerful and unfiltered statements. He sharply criticized  Nick Kyrgios  and other “social media tennis players,” accusing them of exploiting the recent  Jannik Sinner scandal  to gain attention.

During an interview on a popular sports talk show, Panatta made a remark that went viral on the internet:
“The sinner wins not only on the field, but also in life. I don’t share the stage with people who thrive on controversy.”

A direct and unambiguous attack on those players who, according to Panatta, devote more energy to gaining attention on social media than to improving their tennis. Although he didn’t provide details, the reference to Nick Kyrgios
, known for his outrageous behavior and frequent controversies, seemed   obvious to everyone.

Panatta emphasized that  Sinner represents the opposite of this trend  and embodies values such as respect, discipline, and dedication both on and off the pitch.
“Sinner is a role model for young people. He doesn’t seek scandal, he doesn’t need to create chaos to stand out. He stands out through results, humility, and class,” Panatta added.

What surprised the audience happened a few minutes later:  Jannik Sinner  , who had heard about Panatta’s words, sent the former champion a private message, which he read out publicly.
The message’s content was simple yet touching:
“Thank you, Adriano, your words mean so much to me. I simply try to do my best every day, for tennis and for those who believe in me.”

These words immediately triggered  spontaneous and thunderous applause from  fans present in the studio and online and went viral on social media within minutes.

Sinner’s gesture once again confirmed the authenticity and maturity of the young South Tyrolean champion, who remains grounded even in the most turbulent moments.

Conclusion  : In a tennis world increasingly dominated by viral content, controversy and provocation, Panatta’s words and Sinner’s behavior seem to draw a clear line between those who seek sporting glory and those who simply seek visibility at any cost.