Jannik Sinner: Paris Masters chief alludes to potential withdrawal cause – ‘something disruptive’

Oli Dickson Jefford 30 Oct 2024 2:43 PM

Jannik Sinner and Cedric Pioline.

Jannik Sinner’s Six Kings Slam participation has been cited as a potential cause for his withdrawal from the Paris Masters by tournament director Cedric Pioline.

The world No 1 was in Paris ready for his campaign but unexpectedly withdrew from the Masters 1000 event on Tuesday, stating that he was recovering from a virus.

Sinner’s withdrawal came just over a week after he claimed $6 million in prize money for winning the Six Kings Slam – a non-compulsory exhibition event.

The Italian’s participation in the event, held in Riyadh, has been questioned alongside the five other players who contested the exhibition.

Sinner has faced criticism for comments he made concerning the prize money involved, while many have questioned the mid-season timing of it.

And, speaking yesterday following the world No 1’s withdrawal, Pioline claimed that the financial power of such exhibitions was “something disruptive” – and could have contributed to the Italian’s physical struggles.

“It’s not up to me to judge: each player, including Jannik, organizes his season as he sees fit,” said Pioline.

“We can even say that in general, Jannik is one of those who has a logical schedule, he doesn’t overload his calendar. So he was rather confident.

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“As high-level athletes, they are fragile from an immune point of view at the end of the season, there are little things that hang around and that we can catch. Is it bad luck? Probably

“The geopolitics of the circuit with a lot of things [is something] currently under discussion at the level of the Grand Slams, the ATP and the WTA.

“Today, we don’t have an answer but from my point of view, it is certain that we must be vigilant so that there is coherence.

“The money put on the table by this Saudi exhibition is something disruptive, which destabilizes the ecosystem in place and is not necessarily very healthy.”

Sinner was the top seed in Paris and was set to face Ben Shelton in round two, though confirmed in a statement he was looking to “come back stronger” at the ATP Finals.

He said: “This is not an easy announcement to make.

“My team and I arrived early to prepare as best as possible, but unfortunately, I started feeling unwell during training and saw the doctor on Sunday.

“It turns out I’ve come down with a virus. I’m feeling better now, but I’m still not ready to compete here in Paris. I was really looking forward to this tournament, so it’s disappointing, to say the least.

“For now, I’m focusing on recovery and getting back to 100%. I’ll be aiming to come back stronger for Turin!”