Jannik Sinner addresses 'playing for money' as Stan Wawrinka issues brutal response
10/27/2024 08:59 AM
Jannik Sinner has proclaimed that he does not play tennis for money following his recent triumph at the the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
The world No 1 insisted he played the event in Riyadh because it featured “possibly the six best players in the world” and gave him the chance to measure himself against his rivals.
Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Six Kings Slam in the most lucrative match in tennis history.
The Italian secured an eye-watering record prize money cheque of $6 million for winning the tournament, having also overcame Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic en route. All six players were guaranteed $1.5 million for participating.
The 23-year-old is set to play at the Paris Masters, which will get underway tomorrow. Sinner is seeking his maiden title at the Masters 1000 event in Paris and his eighth title of a superb 2024 season.
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In an interview with Eurosport ahead of the Paris Masters, Sinner reflected on the prize money he earned at the Six Kings Slam.
“No, I don’t play for money,” Sinner said. “It’s very simple. Of course it’s a nice prize and everything but you know, for me, I went there because there were, possibly the six best players in the world and then you can measure yourself with them.
“It was also a nice event for me. It was the first time I went to Riyadh. It was for something very nice.
“Of course, when you come back as a winner, for me it was more that, okay, I played the matches in the right way and this can hopefully improve me as a player also for the future.
“I think that’s it. And of course, the money is important, but not that much. I live a good life also without this money.
“So I think it’s much more important the health I have and surrounding myself with great people and the family I have than the money — it’s just an extra.”
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka did not take Sinner’s comments on the topic at face value as he replied to a video of the interview on X with a laughing face emoji.
Sinner will take on either Ben Shelton or a qualifier in his opening match in Paris.
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