Jannik Sinner’s Olympic Games campaign in doubt after delayed Paris arrival
Jannik Sinner’s Olympic Games campaign has been thrown up in the air amid reports he has delayed his arrival in Paris due to illness.
World No 1 Sinner is set to be the top seed in the men’s singles draw at Paris 2024, in what is set to be his Olympic Games debut.
The Italian was reportedly set to head to Paris today, with compatriots Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani among those sharing their journey to the French capital on social media.
Several players are already in the city with the likes of Iga Swiatek spotted practising at Roland Garros, and Sinner’s main rival Carlos Alcaraz spotted alongside Rafael Nadal in the Olympic Village.
However, the 22-year-old has allegedly delayed his rival at the Olympic venue due to a fever.
Reports on the Italian site Ansa suggest that Sinner will now head to Paris on Thursday instead, just one night before the opening ceremony, and only two nights before the men’s singles event begins at Roland Garros.
The report has cast doubt on Sinner’s Olympic campaign, with the world No 1 having looked far from full fitness in his Wimbledon quarter-final loss to Daniil Medvedev.
Sinner was forced off the court for a lengthy period during the last eight match due to treatment and reportedly complained of dizziness during the contest, which he ultimately lost in five sets.
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The world No 1 has not played since then but was spotted on holiday with girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya – who has chosen to skip Paris 2024 – last week.
All eyes will now turn to whether Sinner does arrive in Paris on Thursday, and what he says if and when he is asked about the illness reports.
Sinner reached the last four of the French Open at the Roland Garros site last month and is among the favourites for gold, having lost just four times in 2024.
He captured the world No 1 ranking after his run to the last four in Paris but had previously won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, and has won further titles in Miami and Rotterdam.
Bookmakers currently put the 22-year-old as joint-second favourite to win gold in Paris, behind world No 3 Alcaraz and level with world No 2 Novak Djokovic.
Victory – if he plays – would complete a remarkable nine months for Sinner, who anchored Italy to a first Davis Cup title in 48 years last November.
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