Tennis fans aren’t happy with Jannik Sinner after he admitted he was motivated by the gigantic prize cheque on offer at this week’s Six Kings Slam. The world No. 2 banked £4.5million when he won the inaugural edition of the three-day exhibition event last year – £1.1m for turning up and playing, and another £3.4m for being crowned the champion.
Twelve months ago, Sinner suggested that he didn’t play for money. But the four-time Major winner has changed his tune this time around, and fans have taken notice.
After pocketing £4.5m for winning three matches at last year’s Six Kings Slam, Sinner shut down suggestions that he enter the exhibition event for the money. He told Eurosport: “I don’t play for money. It’s very simple.
“Of course, it’s a nice prize and everything but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world. And then you can measure yourself with them.
“It was also a nice event for me. It was the first time I went to Riyadh and it was nice. When you come back as a winner, for me, it was more that, ‘Okay, I played the matches in the right way and this hopefully can improve me as a player also for the future’.”
Sinner is back in Riyadh this year and he’s already made it to the semi-finals after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-3 on Wednesday. But he’s now confessed that the winners’ cheque is a big incentive.
“The money is nothing we’re trying to hide. We know how much is at stake here, and it would be a lie if I told you it wasn’t a motivation,” the four-time Grand Slam champion explained.
“Every player here will try to win as many matches as possible. It’s like any other exhibition – except here there is a bit more motivation.”
Sinners’ comments raised eyebrows, with some fans accusing him of “lying” in 2024 when he downplayed the money element.
“He realised that no one believed him last time when he said he wasn’t playing for the money. You have to be honest like Alcaraz. He immediately said last year that he was playing for the money,” @GZH1649239 tweeted.
@DontwatchTennis added: “He learnt from last year’s fiasco.” And @sure_boiiii wrote: “lmao why did he change his mouth from last year.”
Some users screenshotted Sinner’s comments from last year for comparison. “Learn from his last year mistake …” @SandrineK92 tweeted. “Oh finally he isnt lying like last year,i am so proud of you,” @MonikaMack37550 joked.
Sinner is now two wins away from banking a huge £4.5m prize cheque. The world No. 2 faces Novak Djokovic in Thursday’s semi-final, and the winner meets either Carlos Alcaraz or Taylor Fritz in Saturday’s final.