For the last match of the Nastase group, Turin and the Inalpi Arena area are a perennial hymn to Jannik Sinner. The world’s No.1 tennis player, who has already qualified for the semi-finals of the ATP Finals, is omnipresent. Billboards, hardbacks, advertisements, endless gadgets talk about him. And he, on the court, talks about tennis.
From n.1 in the world, in front of the enthusiastic public. An audience that adores him and that he has now learned to manage like an orchestra conductor. After a great point won with Taylor Fritz, two days ago, he put his hand to his ear to encourage the inevitable chant: “Ole, ole ole ole… Jannik… Jannik”. And tens of thousands flocked to the Inalpi Arena for him. The largest indoor facility in Italy for the Nitto ATP Finals expects the presence of around 12,000 spectators inside.
Among these are the inevitable Carota Boys, but now their emulators are multiplying and, in addition to the Carota Girls who made their appearance during the last match, there are many spectators dressed in orange clothing and wigs. But wandering around the Finals area, in the Fan Village adjacent to the arena, expanded by 30% compared to previous Turin editions and literally taken by storm, with a much more accessible ticket (10 euros), you come across everything from the fallen nobleman with Savoy moustache, silver dog cane and strictly orange straw hat to the many kids (and not only) with orange wigs.
Many of these will not enter to see their idol (the prices are prohibitive and there are practically no more tickets available), but they can breathe the air of great tennis in the Fan Village where even those who have not managed to secure a ticket for the matches (the data available today is 131 thousand, i.e. that of the individual tickets sold on the eve, a record) can say that he was at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. In the Village there are sponsor stands and a food area, as well as courts dedicated to other racket sports, padel first and foremost.
The luckiest and most tenacious even manage to get an autograph from their favorites who sometimes pop out to greet the public behind a rigorous protective barrier. Yesterday there was an incredible crowd waiting for Fritz. Alternatively you can go home with a photo with Sinner. And it doesn’t matter if it’s just a hardback…