Daniel Grassl: “I try to take inspiration from Jannik Sinner’s words. I like when he says to dare more, to challenge yourself, even if sometimes that means losing. But that’s the trick to getting stronger.”
Daniel Grassl shares his journey from aspiring athlete and actor to national champion, his experiences with fans, and his ambitions for the Grand Prix Final, Nationals, and the Olympics.
original source: gazzetta.it dd. 6th December 2025 by Andrea Barilaro
Here’s a translation of an interview with Daniel Grassl posted om Gazetta Italia.
“Daniel Grassl wanted to be everything: an actor, a soccer player, a tennis player, a hockey player. “Then I decided to dance on ice,” meaning he became a figure skater. A few fun facts about him. If you catch him in a good mood, good luck keeping up: he talks fast, has a soft “r.” He speaks Italian, German, English, and Spanish, understands Russian, and thanks to his fans, even knows a bit of Japanese.
Speaking about his popularity in Japan, Daniel told “It all started after my first Junior World Championships event. I was 13 and performed as Charlie Chaplin, who they love in Japan. Being blond helped too – it’s rare for them…”
Q: And that’s how you become a star.
Daniel Grassl: A lot of people follow me on social media, and I try to reply to everyone. Once, a girl wrote to ask, ‘Can I create your Japanese fan page?’ I replied, ‘Of course.’ Then another asked the same thing, and I said yes to her too. At that point… total chaos: they started arguing with each other, and I had to choose—apparently, because of some kind of unwritten social media rule.”
Q: Any other crazy things fans have done for you?
Daniel Grassl: The gifts. Once, a girl came up and asked for my home address to send me a present. I thought, ‘How cool, thank you so much!’ A couple of weeks later, a package arrived with Apple AirPods Pro inside – an incredible gift. Other times, I’ve received sushi kits: recipes, chopsticks, rice…”
Q: Do you eat it?
Daniel Grassl: I love it!
Q: But is it better than pizza?
Daniel Grassl: I’ll pass. Can I not answer? (laughs)
Q: Any other “Japan” in your life?
Daniel Grassl: My dog Kori, an Akita breed like the one in the movie Hachiko. Even getting him was a struggle.
I made a bet with my mom. She said, ‘If you can land a quadruple lutz, we’ll get the dog.’ It’s a very difficult jump, and I was the youngest to complete it in a world competition. A month later, Kori arrived.
Q: Other passions outside the rink?
Daniel Grassl: Cinema. In middle school, I chose the language lab because at the end of the year we always did a theater sketch. My mom said, ‘Look, it’s a tough road, everyone wants to be an actor.’ So I chose sports. I thought, ‘If I get good, maybe I’ll have the chance to act in a film.’ That obsession has faded a bit; now I’d rather be a director or screenwriter.”
Q: A movie you would have liked to act in?
Daniel Grassl: Home Alone – they say I look like the actor.
Q: It’s true. Your top 3 movies?
Daniel Grassl: That’s tough. First, I’d say Hunger Games – I love the whole saga. Then Red Sparrow, and finally Zootropolis, since I really like animated films too.
Q: How did you become a skater?
Daniel Grassl: I was a lively kid and loved sports. One day, after hockey practice, there was a figure skating competition, and I was instantly hooked. At first, I also played tennis, but I had to choose. My first coach, a Bulgarian, was very strict and demanding. It took a lot of time to keep up with her, so I had to give up tennis.
Q: Ex-tennis player and from South Tyrol. The connection is easy: Jannik Sinner.
Daniel Grassl: We almost met a year ago at the ‘South Tyrolean of the Year’ ceremony. He was there, but I couldn’t attend because I had Europeans. I hope to meet him someday. I did see him play two years ago at the ATP Finals in Turin against Djokovic in the final.
Q: Do you see yourself in him?
Daniel Grassl: I try to take inspiration from his words. I like when he says to dare more, to challenge yourself, even if sometimes that means losing. But that’s the trick to getting stronger.
Q: Another idol?
Daniel Grassl: Roberto Bolle. After the 2022 Olympics, he even complimented me – I was honored. He also invited me to his On Dance project, where he teaches dance around Milan. I’ve been inspired by him too, since classical dance is a very important component in my sport.
Q: Do you consider yourself more an athlete or a dancer?
Daniel Grassl: The secret is to be both. The important things are the jumps and spins. I spend at least three hours a day on skates, then I also train my body with gym, posture work, yoga. We’re athletes who dance on skates.
Q: Tomorrow you compete in the Grand Prix Final: how do you feel?
Daniel Grassl: I’ve prepared very well. I even skipped a competition to train better and arrive fresher. Being among the world’s top six is already a great achievement, and I can’t wait because we’re in Japan and everything here is more special.
Q: And then there’s something called the Olympics…
Daniel Grassl: I want to enjoy every moment of it. In 2022, there were a lot of restrictions because of Covid. This time, I want to experience it with less pressure, and my mental coach is helping me with that. In my sport, it’s fundamental. For example, you can do an exercise perfectly twenty or thirty times in practice, but if you miss it in competition… that’s it, it’s over, you’ve lost.
Q: And the fact that it will be in Italy?
Daniel Grassl: Double the emotion. I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere, to feel the crowd… In Italy, women’s skating has become very popular thanks to Carolina Kostner, but men’s skating is still a bit behind. I hope to do my part, maybe inspire some kid watching at home. That’s where you have to start.”
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