"Straight from the Federer PR handbook";"Jannik Sinner makes me sick"- Fans furious as Italian makes big comment on Six Kings Slam's $6 million bounty

Jannik Sinner recently shared that the $6 million prize wasn’t his main motivation for competing in the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia. His comments later sparked criticism from the fans online.

After an impressive run during the Asian hard-court swing, reaching the China Open final and winning the Shanghai Masters, Sinner competed in the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. The Italian defeated Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic before facing Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

Despite losing the first set 7-6 (5), Sinner mounted a strong comeback, winning the next two sets 6-3, 6-3. The 23-year-old claimed the largest prize in tennis history—$6 million, nearly double the amount awarded to this year’s Wimbledon champion.

However, the substantial prize money wasn’t Sinner’s main reason for competing in Riyadh. In an interview with Eurosport the World No. 1 explained that facing six of the world’s top players was the ideal way to assess his form.

"No, 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."

Sinner highlighted that winning reaffirmed his focus on improving as a player, not money. While he acknowledged money’s value, he prioritized health, family, and supportive people.

"Of course, 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. I think that's it and of course, the money is important but not that much. I live a good life also without this money. So, I think it's much more important the health I have and surrounding myself with great people and the family and then the money, it's just an extra," he added.

However, many fans remained unconvinced by Sinner's statements, with one describing them as "rehearsed."

"Rehearsed questions. Rehearsed answers. Straight from the Roger Federer PR handbook. Just tell the truth bro, lol," the fan said.

"He makes me sick," another wrote.

"It’s easier to say when you have the money already," a fan commented.

Here are a few more reactions from the fans:

"All respect for sinner but he would not have come if the money was not there," a fan weighed in.

"If that is the case, he should play for free😅," a fan joked.

"So give the money to a charity! This is the only way to walk out of it without selling yourself," a fan wrote.

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Jannik Sinner will next compete at the 2024 Paris Masters

Jannik Sinner will next compete at the 2024 Paris Masters - Source: Getty

After ending the Six Kings Slam on a positive note, Sinner will next compete at the 1000 event in Paris, the final Masters 1000 tournament of the 2024 ATP Tour.

Sinner has enjoyed a career-best season so far, reigning supreme at the Australian Open and the US Open and winning 65 of his 71 matches. The Italian will be vying for his eighth title victory of the season in Paris.

As a top seed, the Italian received a first-round bye and will likely open his Paris Masters campaign against either Ben Shelton or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.

The qualifying round of the tournament began on October 26 with the first round starting on Monday, October 28.