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Italian rising tennis teenager Jannik Sinner has opened up about his flourishing relationship with Italian influencer Maria Braccini.
The 19-year-old prodigy has enjoyed a sensational rise up the rankings to reach No.18 in the world after a strong clay court season in 2020.
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He is set to take on 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Italian Open after cruising through the first round.
But ahead of the clash against the Spaniard, Sinner has opened up about life at home.
The Italian also discussed his new relationship with Braccini.
Sinner and Braccini have kept their relationship out of the public eye after it emerged they were dating in 2020.
The Italian said this was a "necessity" for him when it came to focusing on tennis.
“It is a necessity, otherwise you risk losing sight of the goal, which is to try to become a tennis player who continuously obtains high-level results,” the 19-year-old told Italian publication the Gizzeta.
“Maria and I are two young people who are now sharing a great experience together and I don’t see why we should let everyone know,” he added.
Sinner praises Braccini's influence
“Above all, she (is) immediately tuned into my needs, which are focused on tennis,” he added.
“You know that my priority goes to the sport I practice, especially now that I am still in the beginning and I have to learn basically everything to be a champion”.
Sinner added Braccini was the "best person" to spend the journey with during his burgeoning tennis career.
Sinnner prepares for Nadal encounter
The Italian has reached his first Masters final this year at the Miami Open, won an Australian Open warm-up event, reached the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open last month, and his first round Italian Open match with Ugo Humbert marked his 20th victory of the year.
Still, facing Nadal on clay remains the ultimate challenge in tennis.
The Spaniard has won the Italian Open a record nine times - although he was beaten last week in quarter-finals of the Madrid Open by eventual champion Alexander Zverev.
with AAP
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