Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner says he doesn’t want to bother himself with the criticism he has received for missing the Olympics in Paris because he and those close to him know how driven he was to compete but that illness prevented him from doing so.
Only a few days before the Summer Games began this year, world No. 1 Sinner declared that he would not be competing because of tonsilitis. The 22-year-old Italian said in his statement that it was a major letdown and that his doctors had advised him not to play.
However, others were not entirely satisfied by Sinner’s justification and began analysing and criticizing him. Furthermore, people began to wonder how Sinner could have recovered for the Canadian competition but not be prepared to play in Paris once it was announced that he would participate in this week’s Montreal Masters.
Addressing the criticism received by some of the Italian media, Sinner said: “It’s a question I don’t even want to have to answer honestly. I think only my team and I really know how I felt: from the outside, it’s one thing, from the inside it’s another. I especially know how I felt. I had said since the beginning of the year that my biggest goal was the Olympics, but unfortunately, I wasn’t even able to get out of bed. Then honestly, what people think. Let’s say I give it little importance, little weight.”
The tennis world was stunned and heartbroken to learn of Sinner’s withdrawal from the Olympics. The Italian is having a fantastic year and was a strong favourite to win the gold in Paris. The Italian tennis player now says that he understands why some reacted in a certain way, but he still wishes to get past it all.
He added: “I’m not on social media anymore, which is something that does me a lot of good. Then I read some things anyway, it’s obvious that when you open your phone there are notifications and I see something. But I also know who I am as a person and what kind of people I have around me, who all care a lot about me. Unfortunately, this time it went like this, there will always be some good things and some a little bit worse, like this. I understand people’s reaction, I’m honest, but now I’m here in Montreal and what happened happened.”
Sinner in Montreal, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.1, Sinner has managed to achieve a 43-4 match record in 2024. Jannik is currently playing in Montreal where he defeated Unknown Player bye and the world no.94 Borna Coric 6-2 6-4.
Jannik Sinner will take on the world no.21 Alejandro Tabilo in the 3rd round on Friday at 5:00 pm on COURT CENTRAL. They have never competed against each other so far on the main tour.
Jannik conquered 4 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami and Halle.
Jannik won 15 titles in his career: 6 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 7 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Sinner is scheduled to compete next in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 12th of August.
Jannik Sinner |
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