Italy's Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi has apologised to Jannik Sinner after no Italian officials attended the tennis player's historic Wimbledon victory on Sunday.
The 23-year-old became the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles title, defeating Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Centre Court.
Whilst Spain's King Felipe VI was present to support Alcaraz, Italian officials were notably absent from the championship match.
Abodi acknowledged the disappointment, telling Gazzetta dello Sport: "It's disappointing that the Italian institutions are absent."
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|Jannik Sinner was outstanding on Sunday as he beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets to win Wimbledon
He added: "How did I experience Sinner's Wimbledon victory? With great emotion, from a distance, because, unlike so many other times, this time I didn't go.
"Even a minister sometimes has to stop, needs to stop, to spend a day with his family.
"I think the most important thing is to be able to celebrate an achievement that brings everyone together. It can happen that the institutions are absent, and that's what happened here.
"We're sorry about that because it would have been much nicer to be there, but sometimes we too have life circumstances that prevent us from doing so, and I don't think this deserves a judgment that, all things considered, distracts from the great joy that should unite us all.
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|Italy's Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi has apologised to Jannik Sinner after no Italian officials attended the tennis player's historic Wimbledon victory on Sunday.
"The most important thing is to celebrate Jannik's victory."
Regarding potential celebrations with Italian President Sergio Mattarella or Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Abodi confirmed plans would be made.
"Every victory has been celebrated, so I'm sure there will be one," he added.
The minister emphasised that scheduling would depend on Sinner's sporting commitments, which remain the priority.
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Sinner departed London's Northolt Airport on Monday afternoon aboard a private jet, landing in Bolzano, northern Italy, at approximately 5:00pm local time.
Despite journalists and fans gathering at the airport with items for autographs, the newly crowned champion remained on the aircraft.
Rather than entering the airport lobby to greet supporters, Sinner bid farewell to his parents from the plane before departing for Nice.
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The 23-year-old subsequently travelled to his Monte Carlo residence for rest.
His parents are expected to resume work at Haus Sinner, their bed and breakfast establishment located at the base of the Dolomites in northern Italy.
Despite the magnitude of Sinner's achievement, his hometown of Sexten has no immediate plans for celebrations.
REUTERS | Jannik Sinner is on top of the world following his Wimbledon triumphThe tennis star may visit the mountainous region before beginning preparations for the US Open, though only to relax and perhaps play table tennis with friends.
Sexten mayor Thomas Summerer expressed the community's pride whilst acknowledging the practical challenges.
"It's incredible, these are historic moments for all of us, for Sesto, for all of South Tyrol, for all of Italy, but Jannik has so many commitments: thinking of a celebration is very difficult, perhaps we could organise something in the future," he said.