"It's absurd": Flavio Cobolli shuts down criticism for snubbing Jannik Sinner in 'best player' praise for Carlos Alcaraz, draws Messi-Ronaldo parallel

Flavio Cobolli recently voiced his frustration over how his compliment for Carlos has been interpreted as a slight against his compatriot Jannik Sinner. Cobolli also expressed his annoyance at being forced to clarify the intention behind his words.

Cobolli recently served as the alternate for Team Europe at the 2024 Laver Cup, witnessing firsthand the Spaniard's heroics to secure the team's victory at the event. The 22-year-old also shared a heartwarming moment with Alcaraz while cheering him on during his match against Ben Shelton.

Approaching the four-time Grand Slam champion's bench, Cobolli encouraged the Spaniard by calling him the best player in the world.

"You are the best player in the world man, you should know it," Cobolli told Alcaraz.

However, the 22-year-old's seemingly innocuous compliment for Carlos Alcaraz led to backlash from Jannik Sinner's supporters and Italian fans, who viewed it as disrespectful to the World No. 1.

In a recent interview with Italian publication Dna da Tennis, Flavio Cobolli expressed his bewilderment over the "absurd" reaction to his comment in Italy. The World No. 32 questioned what he was expected to say to a player of Alcaraz's caliber, making the apt comparison that, if he met Cristiano Ronaldo, he wouldn't tell him that Lionel Messi was the superior soccer player.

"I don’t know what to say, I find it absurd what is happening in Italy, I think it’s absurd that I have to explain why I told Carlos Alcaraz that he is the best in the world: what should I say to someone who is top 2 in the world while I am top 30… it’s as if I were talking to Ronaldo, it’s not like I tell him that Messi is better," Cobolli said.

Calling himself Jannik Sinner's "biggest fan," Cobolli also emphasized his immense respect for the World No. 1, clarifying that he had meant no offense with his comment.

"I have enormous respect for Jannik, I am his biggest fan, he also helped me a lot in Davis, I absolutely didn’t want to offend him. We need more respect for them, I don’t care about other people’s thoughts," he added.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Flavio Cobolli gear up for their China Open campaigns

Jannik Sinner won the 2023 China Open (Source: Getty)

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Flavio Cobolli will all be in action at the 2024 China Open, battling it out for the ATP 500 title in Beijing. Entering the tournament as the top seed and defending champion, Sinner will take on Nicolas Jarry in the first round. Jarry triumphed over the World No. 1 in their sole previous encounter at the 2019 Libema Open, claiming a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory.

No. 2 seed Alcaraz will kick off his campaign against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, facing off in their first tour-level encounter. Meanwhile, Cobolli will lock horns with eighth seed Alexander Bublik for the first time in his career.

Leading opposite halves of the draw, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz can only meet in the final of the China Open, which would mark their 10th meeting on tour and give the Italian the opportunity to level their head-to-head record.