Overview
- In a Sky Sport interview this week, Jannik Sinner said he is proud to be Italian and happy he was born in Italy rather than Austria.
- Christoph Schmid, the provincial commander of the South Tyrolean Schützen, published an open letter criticizing the statement.
- The letter claims Sinner “rejected” Austria and argues that Austria has long defended South Tyroleans’ rights politically, diplomatically and culturally.
- Schmid urges Sinner to weigh his words in future and to show respect for South Tyroleans, Ladins and other minorities.
- Coverage frames the dispute as part of recurring scrutiny of Sinner’s national identity, and no response from the player was reported.