Jannik Sinner is in the fourth round of the US Open and no one could be happier than the Carrot Boys, the Italian's fan club.
They are a unique bunch, five men dressed as carrots, orange capes topped with fronds. They made their first major splash at Roland Garros and were six in number then. At Wimbledon, and now in New York, they're down to five.
Sinner is often seen chewing carrots, his favourite on-court snack, at the changeover, which may have inspired the name 'Carota', carrot in Italian. The 22-year-old hadn't met the Carrot Boys in person until after his win over Stan Wawrinka. Sinner wandered over to his fans at the Louis Armstrong Stadium and took a selfie with them. "I have orange hair, and I used to eat a lot of carrots in Vienna. It's a good nickname," Sinner said.
The Italian added, "Nice to see them every time I play. I follow them on social media, they have funny videos. I met them after the match now, just a quick handshake. Our relationship just started."
Sinner, 22, seeded six, is well liked in the locker-room, but prefers to keep to himself. "I knew when they were doing this, that maybe they are a little bit different than the other fans," Sinner said, adding, "I'm very happy to have them."
SWEET CAROLINE ON SABALENKA'S MIND
World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka applauded Caroline Wozniacki, saying the Dane, a former No.1 is an inspiration. "She was out for three-and-a-half years, she had two kids and came back and is still playing her best," Sabalenka said. "I feel like if you have this level, you will never lose it."
The 25-year-old added, "It gives so much belief that if one day I would like to have a baby I'll have some chances to come back."
American Madison Keys said coming back from two kids was amazing.
"I'm really impressed with Caroline's level," Keys said. "She's incredibly fit. There are lots of moms on tour, I think it's becoming more of the norm."
