LONDON (AP) — Don't expect to see Jannik Sinner's parents in the Royal Box at Wimbledon anytime soon, even though they're more than welcome.
The defending champion was asked why his mother and father weren't in attendance for his opening match on Centre Court on Monday, when last year's women's winner Iga Swiatek had her father and sister in the Royal Box the next day.
Turns out Sinner's parents were also invited, but that kind of fancy affair apparently isn't their thing.
“I know my parents. I asked them, but it was impossible,” Sinner said in Italian on Friday after reaching the fourth round with a straight-sets win over Jenson Brooksby on No. 1 Court.
Sinner grew up in a small Alpine village in northern Italy where his parents, Hanspeter and Siglinde, worked in a ski lodge. His father was a chef and his mother was a waitress.
“We hardly even discussed it,” Sinner said of the Royal Box invite, laughing. "They have other things to do and I understand that.”
His parents did come to last year's final and sat in the player's box to watch their son beat Carlos Alcaraz for the title.
There was a famous parent in the Royal Box to watch Sinner on Monday, though. David Beckham took his mother to the match.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Jannik Sinner of Italy returns the ball to Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia during the men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, June 29, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Soccer legend David Beckham and his mother Sandra Georgina Beckham applaud after the men's singles match between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, June 29, 2026.((AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
FILE - Johann, left, and Siglind Sinner, the parents of Jannik Sinner, of Italy, watch his final match against Casper Ruud, of Norway, at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, May 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino will throw out the first pitch before Friday night’s Major League Baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, which the team was invited to attend.
Pochettino played catch with a few of his players before Friday’s practice at Husky Soccer Stadium. The U.S. plays Belgium in the World Cup on Monday at Lumen Field.
Pochettino has also joined tens of thousands of fans in singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after U.S.wins. The 54-year-old coach, who was born in Argentina and lives in Spain, has fully embraced the American experience this summer.
U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, who was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn to Nigerian parents but raised in London, marveled at the opportunities he, his teammates and the coaching staff have been afforded.
“I think that sort of stuff can only happen in America. So, I’m very, very proud,” Balogun said. “This is a unique experience for me, being in the World Cup in your home nation. And, I think you’re seeing, we’ve been able to be so focused, but, at the same time have so many things we can do to distract ourselves and to take our mind off the high-pressure environment. This evening will be another opportunity to do that.”
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
United States' head coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino gestures as he walks off the pitch after United States defeated Bosnia in the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
