Yesterday Zverev was asked why Italy is invaded by Sinner-mania while Germany is not invaded by Zverev-mania.
He essentially replied that there is Zverev-mania in Germany too (I think it's false) adding that in any case Sinner has won two slams this year and is the best player in the world, as if to say that he has achieved greater success than for this reason it has more exposure and greater fervor in its own country.
I, however, say that regardless of all this, the substantial difference is that in Germany in the past, thinking above all of Becker but not only, they have already had some very champions in men's tennis, while here in Italy after many decades of lean there was a hunger to have a champion in tennis too.
This is the main reason, then the rest can be discussed.
Any Italian tennis player will achieve something similar to what Sinner is achieving in the future, it will be difficult for him to obtain the same empathy precisely because it would be something already seen or experienced, if you prefer.
Before Sinner we were enthusiastic about a Quinzi capable of winning junior Wimbledon, we were also enthusiastic when Cecchinato reached the semi-final at Roland Garros, or Fognini won in Monte Carlo.
All events that if they were to happen now would be normalized.
For example, had a talent like Federico Cinà emerged 5/10 years ago he would have entered the eye of the media storm, labeled as predestined.
However, the fact that he is forming in full Sinner-mania and in the midst of a boom in Italian tennis means that his development is almost totally ignored, which on the one hand is positive, so he can develop more calmly.
