Jannik Sinner has responded to the backlash he received after withdrawing from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, emphasizing that only he and his team truly understand his situation. The world No. 1 made it clear that he gives “little importance and little weight” to the negative reactions surrounding his decision.
Sinner pulled out of the Olympics before the tournament began due to a bout of tonsillitis, expressing his disappointment at being unable to compete. “After a good week of clay training, I started to feel unwell,” Sinner explained. “I spent a couple of days resting, and during a visit, the doctor found tonsillitis and strongly advised me against playing.”
He acknowledged the frustration of missing out on the Games, a key goal for his season, saying, “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 honor of representing my country in this very important event.”
The 22-year-old Italian had been eager to make his Olympic debut in Paris, especially after opting out of the Tokyo Games in 2021 to focus on his development as a player. However, his withdrawal this year sparked criticism from Italian media and some fans.
The scrutiny intensified when it was announced that Sinner would compete in the Canadian Open, which began just two days after the Olympic tennis gold medal match.
During a press conference in Montreal, Sinner reiterated that the Olympics had been his top priority for the season when asked about the criticism. “It’s a question I don’t even want to have to answer, honestly,” Sinner said. “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.”
Sinner expressed that he had set the Olympics as his biggest goal from the start of the year but was too unwell to compete. “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.”
He also shared that stepping back from social media has been beneficial for him, though he still catches glimpses of what’s being said. “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.”
Sinner expressed understanding of the public’s reaction but emphasized his focus on moving forward. “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 began his title defense at the Canadian Open by defeating Borna Coric 6-2, 6-4 in the second round in Montreal on Thursday. He is set to face Alejandro Tabilo in the last 16 at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
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