"Jannik Sinner's not going to be very popular with fellow players"- Fans slam Italian over comments disagreeing with Carlos Alcaraz about ATP schedule

Jannik Sinner has faced criticism from fans after defending the ATP Tour schedule, disagreeing with Carlos Alcaraz's recent comments about the "tight" scheduling. The Italian pointed out that players can skip tournaments if they want to, but fans shot down that suggestion.

Following his unexpected early exit at the US Open, Alcaraz voiced concerns about the demanding schedule. He reiterated these frustrations after his Davis Cup victory. Most recently, after defeating Ben Shelton at the Laver Cup, the Spaniard again addressed the issue.

"I’m the kind of player who think there is a lot of tournaments during the year, mandatory tournaments, and probably during the next few years gonna be even more tournaments, more mandatory tournaments. So, I mean, probably they are going to kill us in some way," Alcaraz said.

During a press conference ahead of the 2024 China Open, Sinner addressed Alcaraz's schedule comments. While acknowledging the "quite long" schedule, the Italian expressed his belief that players still have some control over their tournament selections

"You don't have to play a tournament. If you want, you can play. If not, you don't play. For example last year and also this year, I didn't play some tournaments because I wanted to practice. There are some choices behind this," Sinner said.

Fans were quite critical of the US Open winner's comments.

"Spoken like a boy who got arrogant and rich way too fast and needs to remember where he came from. Players can only play less if they can afford to. Most have no choice. But sure, let's listen to him and not play if we don't feel like it 🙄" one fan wrote.

"He’s really not going to be very popular with his fellow players. First his arrogance & sense of entitlement in his doping case, and now his nonchalance at the heavy scheduling that most players find burdensome. A right little Prince, isn’t he?" another fan wrote.

Many fans pointed out that lower-ranked players have to continue playing to earn points and money.

"Does he not realise that lower ranked players who can’t afford the fines given for missing mandatory tournaments have to play regardless of how they feel?" one fan asked.

"Lower ranked players DO have to play every week to be able to pay their rents and go up in the rankings you donkey," another fan wrote.

"Not everyone had a gucci sponsor before they won their first masters," a third fan pointed out.

One fan stated they were not surprised seeing Sinner defend the authorities. They wrote:

"Not surprised that he sides with the ATP and not with the players. He's a establishment plant."

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Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's China Open 2024 1R opponents

Jannik Sinner (L), Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open (Image via Getty)

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is set to take on Nicolas Jarry in the first round of the 2024 China Open. This will be the Italian's first professional match since defeating Taylor Fritz in the US Open final.

Jarry leads the head-to-head against Sinner 1-0 as he defeated the Italian 7-6(4), 6-3 at the 2019 Libema Open.

Meanwhile, World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has been pitted against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round in Beijing. This will be the first encounter between the pair.

The Spaniard recently participated in the Laver Cup and helped Team Europe to a 13-11 victory by winning 5 of the 13 points from his two singles victories over Fritz and Ben Shelton.