Italy coach Luciano Spalletti bowed
to Jannik Sinner after the tennis sensation paid a surprise
visit to the Azzurri in Miami at the first training session of
their US tour.
"It would be easy to talk about self-discipline and motivation
now. All you have to do is take a piece of him," Spalletti said
to his players, who applauded the 22-year-old, who is currently
third in the ATP singles world rankings.
Former Juventus and Azzurri captain Gianluigi Buffon, who is now
the national team's delegation head, also paid tribute to the
Australian Open champion, who led Italy to victory in the Davis
Cup last year.
"We follow you all the time with great pride," Buffon said.
"You are a truly wonderful example".
Italy face Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday and Ecuador
in New Jersey on Sunday in friendly encounters.
Sinner is in Florida for the Miami Open.
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