Jannik Sinner sends message to critics as he responds to backlash over his Olympics withdrawal
Jannik Sinner has addressed the criticism he has faced for his decision to withdraw from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The world No 1 highlighted the fact only he and his team knew how he felt and asserted that he gives “little importance and little weight” to those who reacted negatively.
Sinner pulled out of the Olympics prior to the tournament due to tonsillitis and expressed that he was “saddened” to not be able to compete.
“After a good week of clay training I started to feel unwell,” he explained. “I spent a couple of days resting and during a visit the doctor found tonsillitis and strongly advised me against playing.
“Missing the Games is a huge disappointment as it was one of my main goals for this season. I couldn’t wait to have the honour of representing my country in this very important event.”
The 22-year-old Italian was hoping to make his debut at the Olympics in Paris, having opted to skip the Tokyo Games in 2021 to focus on his “development as a player.”
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Sinner’s announcement that he would miss the Olympics again this year was met with a backlash from the Italian media and some fans.
The Australian Open champion’s absence received further scrutiny when it was confirmed he would play at the Canadian Open, which started two days after the Olympic tennis gold medal match.
In a press conference in Montreal, Sinner reiterated how the Games had been his main priority for this season when asked about the criticism he has received for withdrawing.
“It’s a question I don’t even want to have to answer honestly,” said the Italian. “I think only my team and I really know how I felt. From the outside it’s one thing, from the inside it’s another. I especially know how I felt.
“I had said since the beginning of the year that my biggest goal was the Olympics, but unfortunately I wasn’t even able to get out of bed. Then honestly, what people think… let’s say I give it little importance, little weight.
“I’m not on social media anymore, which is something that does me a lot of good. Then I read some things anyway, it’s obvious that when you open your phone there are notifications and I see something.
“But I also know who I am as a person and what kind of people I have around me — who all care a lot about me.
“Unfortunately this time it went like this, there will always be some good things and some a little bit worse, like this. I understand people’s reaction, I’m honest, but now I’m here in Montreal and what happened happened.”
Sinner started his title defence at the Canadian Open by defeating Borna Coric 6-2, 6-4 in the second round in Montreal on Thursday. He will face Alejandro Tabilo in the last 16 at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
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