Jannik Sinner withdraws from Paris Masters a week after banking £4.6m Saudi prize money | Tennis | Sport

Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Masters a week after banking a £4.6million prize in Saudi Arabia. The Italian has cited a virus for his exit from the tournament, where he was due to begin tomorrow.

Sinner had been given a tough draw in the French capital, initially scheduled to play either Ben Shelton or Felix Auger-Aliassime. However, the latter subsequently withdrew and now Sinner is out. The 23-year-old will be replaced in the draw by Arthur Cazaux.

In a video message posted to fans via the tournament’s social channels, Sinner said: “Hey guys, I’m here. I’m very disappointed to tell you that I am not able to play here at this tournament.

“I came very early here to prepare and then I felt sick. I’m having a virus at the moment, which is gonna pass in the next two or three days. Body-wise, I am not able to compete.

“I am very, very sorry for that. I will see you guys [in Paris] next year, hopefully it will be a great year. And this year – without me! Hopefully I’ll see you next year. Ciao.”

It comes a week after Sinner banked tennis’ biggest-ever prize at the Six Kings Slam. The world No. 1 defeated Carlos Alcaraz to land a £4.6m cheque in Saudi Arabia.

He has come under criticism for insisting that his participation in the exhibition event was not motivated by money. “I don’t play for money. It’s very simple. Of course, it’s a nice prize and everything,” he told Eurosport.

“I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world, and then you can measure yourself with them. Of course, when you come back as a winner for me, it was more like okay, I played the matches in the right way, and this hopefully can improve me as a player also for the future.”

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Former world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka responded to a news article reporting on the quotes with a laughing emoji.

Meanwhile, rival Alcaraz has contradicted Sinner’s comments, insisting that money played a part in his decision to jet out to the Gulf state – which has been accused of attempting to wash away its poor human rights record.

“Well, I mean, if I say I went there just for fun or to play and forget the money, I’m gonna lie,” the Spaniard said. “That’s obvious. I mean, every person work for that, as well. You know, that’s how life is about.

“You know, I love playing tennis. You know, most of the time I don’t think about the money. I just play for love or for fun. But you have to be realistic. You have to think that you want to earn money, you know, and that’s it.”