Jannik Sinner can fall asleep on a hotel couch, and it’s not just a preference—it’s a performance requirement. The world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player recently spent time aboard the Explora III, a luxury cruise ship, discussing his habits on the road and what he needs to stay at the top of the sport. While many athletes obsess over obscure recovery gadgets, Sinner keeps his packing list simple and his travel style grounded in comfort and quiet.
When Sinner packs for a trip, he brings an iPad for movies, AirPods for music, and little else. He describes himself as a good sleeper, often napping during flights to pass the time. But despite the efficiency of his carry-on, the constant rotation of hotel beds remains the hardest part of the job. Because tennis schedules change frequently, players are forced to adapt to new mattresses every week, which can disrupt sleep patterns and recovery.
The essentials for a world No. 1
He acknowledges that while he wishes he could carry his own mattress, he doesn’t dwell on the inconvenience. Instead, he focuses on the immediate environment he can control. A quiet room is essential for his routine, as he needs to separate his playing schedule from his downtime. The luxury of a cruise ship, he notes, offers a way to escape the constant attention that comes with being a global sports icon.
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He enjoys the paddle courts and swimming pools, finding the anonymity of the sea preferable to the center of the action. [1]Pilates moves are also a part of his strict wellness ritual that includes ice baths and jacuzzis to maintain his longevity. He even admitted that he often falls asleep on the couch in his room rather than moving to the bed three or four meters away. For a player constantly under pressure, that ability to find a quiet corner on a moving hotel is priceless.
Food, family, and Formula One
Food is a major part of his travel routine, particularly the search for carbohydrates after a match. His go-to meal is rigatoni with tomato sauce and salad, though he admits he craves a wiener schnitzel when he visits his parents’ home in South Tyrol. He only returns to his family home a few times a year, but those visits are critical for his mental state. It is a place of peace where he can disconnect from the pressure of competition.
He also mentioned that while he doesn’t travel often for other sports, Formula One is his biggest interest outside of tennis. Monaco is a bucket-list event for him, even if he hasn’t managed to attend the qualifying race in person yet. His travel philosophy leans toward spontaneity; he prefers arriving just in time for flights and always chooses a window seat to rest his head. Even when he is on vacation, he keeps a strict wellness ritual that includes ice baths and jacuzzis to maintain his longevity.
