When Jannik Sinner struck the final forehand on Centre Court back in July, the stadium erupted in cheers. The Italian dropped to the grass in pure elation as the crowd celebrated a moment that would stay with him forever. But there was another voice that quietly became part of that unforgettable scene by narrating every twist and turn of his triumph. That voice belonged to Elena Pero, one of Sky Sport’s most respected commentators, who had spent more than three decades behind the microphone.

Little did anyone know that Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph would also mark Pero’s final match on commentary. On September 24, the veteran commentator passed away after a long battle with illness. She was 60.

Since then, tributes have poured in from fans, fellow journalists, and former pros, all remembering the voice that had become such a familiar part of tennis for generations.

Former World No. 1 and Pero’s fellow commentator, Boris Becker, shared his condolences and penned, “RIP Elena Pero @skyitalia.” Although Pero did not commentate on any of Becker’s Grand Slam victories, the two worked as colleagues later. At Wimbledon 2023, Becker was on Sky Sports payroll as a guest commentator and analyst and worked with Pero, the main figure on the commentary team.

Pero’s passing at age 60 marks the end of a career spanning over three decades, with the Italian starting her career in 1991 as a trainee. She worked for Telepiu, one of the major pay-TV stations in Italy at the time, while being under the tutelage and guidance of legendary Italian commentator Rino Tomassi. She was a central figure in the commentary team when the TV station became part of the Sky Sports banner, catering to the Italian audience in 2003.

During her long stint as a tennis commentator, Pero formed a partnership with former ATP pro Paolo Bortolucci, and the duo became fan favorites, especially during the Grand Slams. After losing his colleague of more than two decades, Bortucci paid his respects on social media as well, sharing a picture from the commentary booth during this year’s Wimbledon final, which was his and Pero’s last match.

“July 12, our last final. Bye Elena,” said Bortolucci on X.

With Italian tennis at its peak in recent years, Pero’s crowning commentary moment came in 2025, when she called Sinner’s maiden Wimbledon victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Notably, Pero was also the voice that narrated the final run of Matteo Berrettini at Wimbledon back in 2021, as well as the early success of the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and Flavio Cobolli. Even though Pero was on call for most Tour events, her voice was at its most prominent during Wimbledon, with the grass-court Major being Sky Sports’ premier tournament.

Sharing his deepest condolences, Sky Sport Director Federico Ferri stated, “In these desperate days, the only consolation is to remember Elena right there, in her place, with a headset and a microphone, on the most legendary field , doing her job, at which she was the best. Naturally the best. Without believing it about herself, and without ever having made anyone feel that way.”

It was not only former World No.1s and colleagues, but the entire tennis world, including tennis fans, who paid their respects to the veteran commentator.

Fans Pay Their Respect to Elena Pero

Pero’s passing also marked the end of a long line of great Italian tennis commentators. The likes of Rino Tomassi, Roberto Lombardi, and Gianni Clerici were the figureheads of Italian commentary in the sport. Both Lombardi and Clerici were former players, with the former being an able tactical analyst and biomechanics expert, and the latter one of the most prestigious historians in the sport, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

“A great sorrow. The era of the professionals who made me discover and love tennis has come to an end: Elena and Prof. Lombardi, Clerici and Tommasi. I will miss them,” said a fan.

Fans were understandably upset by Pero’s passing, with one praising the late veteran’s professionalism. “All of us sports enthusiasts will miss her courtesy, her style, her calm yet immense expertise. An enormous loss.”

Other fans echoed similar sentiments, with one saying, “An immense pain, we will miss you dear Elena,” while another said, “Tennis will never be the same without her.”

For Italian fans, the rise of Jannik Sinner as one of the world’s top players has deepened their connection to the sport. For them, supporting Sinner was synonymous with listening to Pero, as the veteran Sky Sports commentator was on call for the World No.1’s biggest career accomplishments.

“I’m one of those who got closest to tennis thanks to Sinner, but Elena Pero certainly also contributed by exalting the feats of these champions with elegance and expertise. It was a pleasure to listen to her; she completed the show,” said a fan.

With her untimely passing, Elena Pero leaves behind a legacy of dedication and passion, having lent her voice to some of tennis’s most iconic matches over the past three decades.