Former Wimbledon winner calls out a Jannik Sinner decision which he ‘doesn’t understand’

Vasek Pospisil says players, such as Jannik Sinner, who choose to skip Olympic events, were making a decision which he ‘didn’t understand’, stating that he always felt as if his participation in the coveted events was always a ‘no-brainer.’

The Canadian played his final professional match on Sunday against Facundo Bagnis at the Canadian Masters, losing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round.

After a career which was marked by injury, Pospisil took some time in his press conference to speak about what playing for his country has meant throughout his career.

“Well, I mean, I think it’s, I mean, like what’s the point of this sport if you’re not going to play for your country, and play, you know,” said Pospisil, during his final press conference.

“I mean, I don’t understand players that don’t play Davis Cup and don’t play Olympics, I genuinely don’t.

“It’s like, how much money or success or this do you want to chase for yourself individually. Bigger picture, I just don’t understand it, honestly.

“I think it’s just a no-brainer. I mean, to play for your country, it’s good for everybody. It’s good for you, it’s good for your energy, it’s good to give back to your country, to be a role model for the kids.

“Okay, prioritise a week of rest, to play another, to be fresh for one of a thousand tournaments that you’re going to play in your career, or go and represent your country, when you’re only going to have a handful of opportunities to do that in your career.

“To me, I just don’t understand it.

“Unfortunately, I think a lot of times it comes down to money for these guys, and that’s just not the right way to look at it. But, yeah, I mean, I just think it’s a no-brainer. I don’t know. It shouldn’t be anything special, you know.

“I think it should be a default setting for everybody. But the fact that it feels that way I think is, you know, not great. I feel like players should always answer the call for their country.”

Pospisil played two Olympic Games’ as a singles player, losing to David Ferrer in the opening round of the London 2012 event, before doing the same against Gael Monfils at the Rio edition in 2016.

Additionally, he was part of the winning Davis Cup Finals team in 2022.

At the last edition of the Olympics, in 2024, it was Novak Djokovic who triumphed over Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in the men’s singles final to claim the gold medal.

World No 1 Jannik Sinner chose to skip the games over reported tonsillitis.

Given the Italian’s semi-final result at the French Open in 2024 and his bitterly close defeat this season (both to Alcaraz), Sinner would have been among the favourites to claim the top prize in Paris.

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“I am bitterly disappointed to inform you that unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games,” the world No 1 stated at the time, explaining this tonsillitis.

“After a good week of training on clay, I started to feel unwell. I spent a couple of days resting, and during a visit, the doctor diagnosed me with tonsillitis and strongly advised against playing. Missing the Games is a huge disappointment, as it was one of my main goals for this season.

“I was eagerly looking forward to the honor of representing my country in this incredibly important event. A big good luck to all the Italian athletes, whom I will be cheering for from home. Forza Italia.”