Sinner doesn't need the Olympics

Allow me to come back to Jannik Sinner again. The young tennis star from Sexten has had to put up with a lot recently because he doesn't want to take part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. But he is also, not least in the Dolomites , which I can of course read digitally anywhere in the world, met with understanding , which I welcomed. But not the reaction of the President of the National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagó, who almost accused Sinner of treason because he spurned these great Olympic Games.

The first question arises: What has CONI done for Sinner to support his sporting development? The question is easy to answer: nothing. For this reason alone, there is no right at all to try to force Sinner to go to Tokyo. And besides, doesn't Italy have a lot of quality players at the moment? Ten players are in the top 100 in the world rankings. Sinner, as hard as it may sound for the South Tyrolean, can actually be replaced in Tokyo, especially since in recent moments on the way to world class he has also had to realize that the ease of the game has suffered somewhat as the quality of the opponents has increased. Jannik Sinner's high flight has not stopped, but is currently experiencing a phase of consolidation after some defeats, which at his age (19) can still be classified under the heading of "learning process". Tennis as a fringe sport And what would Sinner have expected in Tokyo? A tennis facility, probably without spectators, because a “virus emergency” has been declared in the Japanese capital starting next Monday. That means, as a consequence of this decision, that no spectators will be allowed in the stadiums. Well, Sinner has had a few ghost games behind him, like many of his colleagues, but the thing about the unique atmosphere of the Olympic Games is finally gone. Even the opening ceremony will take place without spectators. It's basically just sad and the experience is close to frustration for everyone who then marches in with music and a lot of anticipation, which will quickly give way to disillusionment.

Jannik Sinner hasn't played his best tennis in the last few weeks. © APA/afp / MIKE HEWITT

No, it wouldn't have been an Olympic experience for Jannik Sinner. It will also be denied to his colleagues, because these Olympic Games will possibly be purely TV games. Even the politicians in Japan are encouraging the few who still want the games at the moment and are asking everyone in Sapporo not to go to the marathon courses but to watch the competition at home on television. This is essentially a declaration of bankruptcy. The Olympic spirit is not in tennis Sinner basically made the right decision, especially since there are clearly sports that are not influenced by the Olympic spirit. Football, for example, is one of them. Especially now after the European Championships, the football tournament is no longer even of marginal interest. The teams are recruited from many who are only substitute players in their clubs, especially since preparation for the coming season begins now. And what's more, only U21 players are allowed to take part plus three who can then be ten years older. Football has no Olympic tradition and despite all efforts and the fact that tennis was already in the Olympic program at the 1896st Olympic Games in 1928, the Grand Slam tournaments have overtaken the Olympic competitions in tennis in importance, especially since the felt ball was used from 1988 to XNUMX break had among the five rings. It was used again in Seoul, especially to enable Steffie Graf from Germany to achieve the so-called “Golden Slam”. Four Grand Slam victories plus Olympic gold. She succeeded.

Golf, for example, is also played by many people and yet no one knows right away who was on the podium as the winner when the golf tournament resumed at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after a 112-year break (Justin Rose from Great Britain for men and Park in-bee from Korea for women). Life keeps many doors open The fascination of the Olympic Games has undoubtedly suffered in recent years, also because for many people the effort and benefit of hosting them were out of proportion. This continues to be the case in various sports. Tennis is part of it. Often the best are missing, which is why Jannik Sinner doesn't have to worry about a few Olympic officials criticizing him for his cancellation. And do not forget. There will be the Olympic Games again in three years. Sinner would be 22 years old in Paris. Tennis life still has many doors open for him, including Olympic doors.

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Sinner doesn't need the Olympics

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