Jannik Sinner, the rising star from Italy, had decided to withdraw from the Paris Olympics. This surprising announcement left the tennis community stunned, especially considering Sinner’s recent accomplishment of dethroning Novak Djokovic as the world’s number one player. Instead of competing for the coveted gold medal, Sinner made a strategic decision to focus on his upcoming participation in the National Bank Open in Montreal, Canada.
As the defending champion and top seed, Sinner is eager to build upon his remarkable recent success. With victories at the Australian Open and Miami Open, the 22-year-old Italian has established himself as a dominant force in the tennis world. However, his withdrawal from the Paris Olympics remains a topic of curiosity, leaving many wondering about the reasons behind his choice.
During a press conference, Sinner shed light on his decision to skip the Paris 2024 Olympics. He firmly stood by his choice and explained that participating in the Games could have jeopardized his future participation in other events. The risk of exacerbating his physical condition and the need for sufficient recovery and adjustment to different playing surfaces were key factors in his decision. Sinner emphasized that his presence at the National Bank Open in Montreal would not have been possible if he had chosen to compete in the Olympics.
Sinner’s withdrawal from the Olympics occurred after he was diagnosed with tonsillitis. Making the announcement to forgo the prestigious event, he expressed, “Competing in the Olympics was one of my primary objectives for this season. Unfortunately, the tonsillitis prevented me from participating. I am profoundly disappointed, but I will show my support for my fellow athletes from the comfort of my home.”
In light of this, he passed the torch to his compatriot Lorenzo Musetti, who suffered a defeat in the semi-finals against Novak Djokovic. Despite his disappointment, Sinner believed that it was the correct decision, stating, “It was an extremely difficult choice, but I believe it was the right one. If I had competed in the Olympics, it could have prolonged my recovery time and caused me to miss other significant tournaments.”
The ATP Masters 1000 event is scheduled to commence within a few hours. As Sinner stands firm in his decision to skip the Olympics, he hopes that his fans will comprehend his strategy. The fact that other top contenders for the gold medal also opted out further supports Sinner’s explanation.
In addition to Sinner’s withdrawal from the Olympics, there are additional factors that contribute to this situation. The young Italian was unable to participate in the Rome Masters due to a hip injury, leaving no margin for him to miss another ATP Masters 1000 event. This can be compared to Alcaraz’s circumstances, which will result in him missing out on 50% of the ATP bonus pool.
Following a significant setback in the gold medal match against Djokovic, the Spaniard declared that he is prepared to skip the upcoming event in Montreal, marking the second ATP Masters 1000 event in the ongoing season that he will not be a part of.
“It has been an arduous season for me, and due to the accumulation of matches and fatigue, I will be unable to participate in Montreal this year,” Alcaraz stated, clarifying that the Paris Olympics is the reason why he requires some time off.
As Sinner prepares to resume his journey in the North American hard court season as the top seed, it is evident that health concerns and financial motivations influenced his decision to skip the Paris Olympics.
Photo from Jannik Sinner Instagram
