The Italian won big at a show tournament in Riyadh, but that’s not what’s important. A colleague obviously doesn’t quite believe him.
Six million dollars. The highest prize money in tennis history. And that for a victory in a show tournament. Jannik Sinner cleaned up nicely in Riad at the Six Kings Slam. But he was not in Saudi Arabia for the money, the world number one from Italy explained in an interview with Eurosport.
“I don’t play for money,” said Sinner, adding that the millions were a nice prize, ‘but I went there because the six best players in the world were competing and I could measure myself against them.’ Besides, he had never been to Riyadh before. ‘It was very nice.’ And the matches would also help him become a better player in the future.
Wawrinka makes fun of Sinner
At least Stan Wawrinka didn’t seem convinced. The Swiss tennis pro, who has won three Grand Slam titles and $37 million in prize money in his career, responded with a laughing-crying smiley face at X to Sinner’s explanation.
The recent meeting of the six “tennis kings”, including the old stars Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, in Riyadh had caused a stir and criticism. Despite complaints about the overcrowded calendar, Sinner, Nadal, Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev had made the trip to the desert – in the middle of the final stretch of a long season.
Sinner finally prevailed and conceded, but the other five players were also well rewarded with a reported $1.5 million appearance fee. For Sinner, it’s all nothing more than a nice “bonus.” Of course money is important, he said, “but not that much. I have a good life even without the money.” Health and family are more important anyway.