Jannik Sinner has a clear opinion. © ANSA / Mourad Balti Touati

After criticism from tennis stars: Sinner stands firm

Tennis stars Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz have heavily criticized the packed tournament calendar. Jannik Sinner has now given a telling answer.

September 24, 2024

From: dl

"We have the longest season in sport. It is unnecessarily long. There is no time to rest. There is no time to prepare the body and build muscle," Zverev said at the Laver Cup in Berlin at the weekend. "The ATP is not interested in our opinion. It is a money business," said the German, who will miss Beijing due to illness. Alcaraz made a similar statement: "I am one of those players for whom there are too many compulsory tournaments a year. And there will probably be even more in the next few years. That will kill us."

Sinner, however, did not accept the invitation for the Laver Cup and has been preparing for the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing for some time. The draw Sinner has already arrived in China's capital and will play in the first round on Thursday or Friday. During a press conference in Beijing, the South Tyrolean was asked about his opinion on the jam-packed tennis calendar.

Sinner with a clear opinion

"Carlos said that the calendar is too tight? Yes, he's right. The tennis year is long and hard, but you can choose it. Some tournaments are compulsory, but otherwise each player can create his own calendar," said Sinner. Alcaraz is known for wanting to play everywhere. For example, while the Spaniard played in the Laver Cup, which is unimportant for the world rankings (an invitational tournament that brings in money and prestige), Sinner was able to train and recharge his batteries. Alcaraz, on the other hand, will arrive in Beijing later and can then play in the first round straight away.

“Some tournaments are mandatory, but otherwise each player can create his own calendar” Sinner after the Alcaraz and Zverev criticism

Sinner seems to want to remain number 1 in the world. "You don't have to play violently. If you want to play, you play, otherwise you don't. Both last year and this year, I skipped a few tournaments because I wanted to train," explained Sinner. The South Tyrolean seems to be doing well with his tactics at the moment.