Tobias Tappeiner, who regularly played against Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner at a young age, has tragically died in a car crash in northern Italy, with a family of five also injured
The tennis world is in mourning following the tragic death of Tobias Tappeiner, a friend and former opponent of tennis star Jannik Sinner. The 24-year-old, who hailed from San Paolo in northern Italy, was killed in a car crash on Sunday morning that also left a family of five injured.
Tappeiner, a passionate tennis player and coach at a local club in Bolzano, tragically lost his life after driving the wrong way onto the A22 motorway in northern Italy.
He reportedly entered the southbound carriageway in the wrong direction and collided with a minivan carrying a family from Varna, South Tyrol, who were en route to a seaside holiday.
The reasons behind Tappeiner’s fatal error remain unclear, as he was reportedly familiar with the Bolzano south junction. Investigations are underway.
The mother and father in the other vehicle were rushed to hospitals in Bressanone and Trento in serious condition but have reportedly survived, along with their three children, aged 8, 11, and 14, who were airlifted to emergency services in Bolzano.
Tappeiner had faced US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner several times during their youth, even managing to beat the now-world renowned tennis star in a 2014 under-12s tournament in Bressanone with a score of 7-6, 6-3.
His passing has sent shockwaves through the tennis community in northern Italy.
Stefan Laimer, the sports director of Tennis Club Bolzano, said: “Smiling and kind. I remember Tobi like this. On the court, however, he transformed: he was a lion.
“He never gave up a ball. To beat him, you had to have something more, otherwise in the end he managed to prevail with his determination.”
He continued: “We are close to the family and the pain they must feel at losing a son. My son is the same age and they grew up together in tennis. We cannot imagine the pain at this moment.”
In an emotional Instagram post, Plopp, another prominent tennis club in South Tyrol, wrote: “Tobias played for TC Bolzano in series B1 and taught at his father Martin’s TAP tennis school.
“We are deeply dismayed and offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew Tobias.
“Our thoughts are also with the family that was seriously injured in this tragic accident. We wish all the injured, particularly the children, a swift and full recovery.
“Rest in peace, Tobias. We will remember you as a passionate athlete and a cordial person.”