World No.1 Jannik Sinner in contention to be final torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics

Italian tennis superstar Jannik Sinner has been selected as one of the candidates to be the final torchbearer and light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina next year.

The event is scheduled to take place on February 6, 2026, five days after the men's final of the Australian Open. Sinner is the two-time defending champion, having defeated German Alexander Zverev in this year's final to clinch his second title in Melbourne.

Having already become an ambassador for the 2026 Winter Olympics volunteer program last year, Sinner is on the shortlist to be the final torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026, according to Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera.

Although Sinner has never competed in the Olympic Games, the World No.1 started out in alpine skiing, a sport in which he excelled as a youngster. Nonetheless, he discovered his true calling in tennis, and has already won four Grand Slam titles in his relatively short career.

Participating at the Winter Olympics would be a dream come true, admits Sinner

In 2024, the World No.1 opened up about hi s dream of carrying the Olympic flame at the Winter Olympics, soon after accepting a role as ambassador for the event's volunteer program.

“I would love to, but these are questions we can’t answer yet," said Sinner. "I would like to be part of the Games in a way: sport has really given me so much, and the adrenaline rush that skiing gave me, I still haven’t found anywhere else. I have a great connection with winter."

Although it has yet to be confirmed, a report from the Corriere della Sera suggests that Sinner was among "the most credible candidates" to light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony to be held at San Siro on February 6. The Winter Olympics will be held in Milan-Cortina from February 6-22, 2025.

Sinner is currently recovering from an exhausting two weeks at the Cincinnati Open, where he retired mid-match due to illness in the final against Carlos Alcaraz. The Italian is the defending champion at the US Open, which kicks off on Sunday, August 24.