Money matters. That is as realistic as one can get; even Carlos Alcaraz did. The Spaniard is minting some crazy numbers with his stellar tour results; lately, that number has only increased. The same goes for Italian star Jannik Sinner. However, a difference in the duo’s opinion over monetary gain has elicited a response from a renowned journalist—he doesn’t particularly agree with Sinner.

The Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh was a massive change in pace. Six elite players, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, Alcaraz, and Sinner, contested the lucrative event. Overpowering formidable challenges, the Italian sensation came out on top after downing rival Alcaraz in the summit clash.

To the victor belongs the spoils, so naturally, the organizers were ready to oblige. Sinner was awarded a jaw-dropping $6M in prize money – notably the highest in the history of tennis. Subsequently, the World No. 1 was asked how he felt about cashing in on a lucrative amount as such. 

“I don’t play for money. It’s very simple. It’s a nice prize and everything but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world. You can measure yourself with them”. Later, when his Spanish rival posed a similar query after pocketing $1.5M over just four days in Riyadh, he lent his ‘realistic’ opinion. The young talent expressed that money motivated him to jet to Saudi Arabia. “You have to think that you want to earn money and that’s it. In Arabia is the highest prize money ever in history, so that was a good motivation, at least for me”. This, in turn, gained a thumbs-up from Eurosport commentator Guido Monaco.

In a recent episode with ‘Tennis Mania‘, Manaco ‘preferred Alcaraz’s statement’, finding it more “genuine and realistic”. Furthermore, he noted that finances control what a player hires in their team and determine their touring bandwidth. “It’s true that money allows you to build a competitive and cutting-edge team around yourself. It’s not the same thing that the 30th, 40th, 50th in the world can afford. Money counts, even to stay at that level”.

With a heavy paycheque in hand and upcoming participation at the Paris Masters in sight, fans were excited to see Sinner’s athleticism in action again, but, Sinner’s 2024 season might be over.

Jannik Sinner withdraws from Paris Masters amid medical struggles

Italian superstar Jannik Sinner has been consistent all year; almost. Apart from troubles stemming from his doping saga, the ATP’s world ranking leader has given no excuse for disappointments. However, he has stumbled upon a problematic medical issue, an intestinal virus, that forced him out of the season’s final 1000 Masters event, the Paris Masters.

Confirming the update, Sinner revealed that: “I’m very disappointed to tell you that I am not able to play here in this tournament. I came very early here to prepare and then felt sick, having a virus at the moment which is going to pass in the next two to three days so body-wise I’m not ready to compete. I’m very sorry for that but see you guys next year and hopefully, it’s going to be a great year.”

With no timeline for his recovery, there’s no certainty that he will return to action at the remaining events on his calendar. Though he qualified for the race to Turin, he might have to skip all commitments and come back in 2025, if his health doesn’t allow it.