Jannik Sinner, a rising star in the tennis world, recently won the Six Kings Slam tournament in Saudi Arabia, earning a record-breaking prize of $6.5 million. However, Sinner insists that his motivation for participating in the event was not about the money but rather the opportunity to compete against the best players in the world.Jannik Sinner’s Record-Breaking Prize in Saudi Arabia: Does His ‘Not for the Money’ Claim Really Align with a $9 Million Three-Day Paycheck?
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Not Playing for Money
In an interview with Eurosport before the Paris Masters, Sinner stated, “Money has its weight but isn’t too important to me. I can live well without it.” The Italian player shared that it was his desire to test himself against legends like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz that drove him to join the tournament.
A Great Experience in Saudi Arabia
Sinner was not only drawn by the chance to play against top players but also by the appeal of Saudi Arabia, a country making strides in elite sports development. “The atmosphere there was amazing. Every aspect of the organization was almost perfect. We even had fun side activities exploring the local culture and people. My team and I had a fantastic three days,” Sinner said.
With an impressive performance, Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz to claim the title, taking home around $9 million from the prize money and appearance fees—almost equivalent to his entire earnings for the year.
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Mixed Reactions from Tennis Stars
This event has drawn significant attention in the tennis world. Former world number one Andy Roddick expressed surprise at the amount of money Sinner and the other players earned. “It’s truly overwhelming! Sinner’s three-day earnings amount to 25% of my entire career prize money,” Roddick remarked.
However, not everyone believed Sinner’s “not for the money” statement. Stan Wawrinka shared his skepticism by posting a laughing emoji alongside Sinner’s interview on social media. According to several sources, even players who didn’t win, like Medvedev and Holger Rune, received at least $2 million for just a few hours of play.
High-profile players like Nadal and Djokovic likely received additional bonuses due to their fame. Nadal, notably, was gifted a gold racket weighing 3kg and valued at approximately $300,000—a tribute to his status and illustrious career.
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Withdrawing from Paris Masters Due to Health
Over a week after his victory in Saudi Arabia, Sinner had to withdraw from the Paris Masters due to health concerns. The world number one shared that he contracted a virus upon arriving in Paris: “After my first practice session, I felt terrible. I’m feeling better now, but my body will need a few more days to recover.”
The Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia not only brought Sinner titles and prize money but also stirred mixed opinions in the tennis world, especially regarding the role of money in elite sports.
