It was clear from the early hours of the morning that Jannik Sinner had returned to the Foro Italico. Orange wigs, t-shirts, banners and “holy cards” depicting him. Then the roars: the first when he makes his walk on the bridge that connects the players lounge with the press room of the Centrale, the second when at 5pm he enters the pitch for training under the watchful eye of his parents, as well as his coaches.
Tennis players on the warpath over low prize money in tournaments
The star-like welcome in the capital, however, is counterbalanced by the controversy that has been brewing for some time over the prize money of the slams and which sees him in the front row. The tennis players’ complaint is well known: the prize money does not grow equitably compared to the increase in revenues of the four majors. If the speaker is the world No. 1, it is clear that the resonance is totally different.
The world number one: “We take too little”
«Men and women are united in this sense – explains Sinner -. We take too little, even if the money is only a consequence, we make it a matter of respect because at the slams we give much more than we receive and without us the tournaments wouldn’t happen. This is why I understand those who want to talk about a boycott, we have to start somewhere. We have been silent for a long time, it is right that we talk about it and we will now see what will happen in the future.” Focusing only on the prize money, however, would be reductive, especially for those like Sinner who have already had prize money in excess of 60 million dollars in his career. The battle is also on issues such as maternity, insurance and pension, extending it in particular to male and female tennis players outside the top 100 and the multi-million-dollar revenues of the best in the ranking.
Sinner seeks victory in Rome. Since Panatta, 50 years ago, no other Italian has succeeded
But in the meantime Jannik’s future only has a debut on Saturday (probably in the evening) and the first feedback came from today’s training on court five, which – historically – is where Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic trained. It is the one most sheltered from the siege of the fans who in any case invaded the stands hours earlier to be able to see some exchanges from the world no.1. So the wait is over: fans and supporters have finally embraced Jannik again after days in which he was in Rome, but completely off everyone’s radar. Three days entirely free after the victory in Madrid. Neither tennis nor gym. Since his arrival on Monday by private jet in Ciampino he has rested in a hotel in Monte Mario, then a few visits to his favorite restaurants and more relaxation. «There are moments where I have fun and do what I want to do, because at 24 I also want to have fun – his words in the conference -. Maybe I show it just a little less than others. But these days, for example, I have played golf and football, while others enjoy themselves differently. There isn’t a rule. The goal then was to rest.” And so the training on court 5 at 5 pm becomes the first “trip” two days after the debut in Rome in the year that marks the fiftieth anniversary of the last victory of an Italian in the men’s singles. In 1976, Adriano Panatta achieved it and will also return to the Internationals this year, awarding the winner of 2026. Should it be Sinner – or another Italian in the race – it would be a significant passing of the baton 50 years after the last time. But for the moment Jannik isn’t thinking about it, just as he isn’t even looking at Roland Garros, another great goal of the year, especially given Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal. «I’m focused on the present and it’s wonderful to return to Rome – explains Jannik -. Especially after last year when I returned here after months away and I felt the affection of the fans.” The same affection received today at every one of his appearances, after all the Sinner-mania has exploded some time ago and with today also the bubble in which he had remained hidden after the success in Madrid, the fourth consecutive thousand won in 2026, the fifth if we count indoor Paris last year. But the South Tyrolean wants to extend the streak, taking advantage of Alcaraz’s absence. An opportunity not to be missed.