Jannik Sinner has made it clear that his passion for tennis extends beyond financial gain, especially following his impressive victory at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
The current world No. 1 emphasized that his motivation for participating in the Riyadh event was to compete against “possibly the six best players in the world,” allowing him to test his skills against top-tier talent. In a historic final, Sinner triumphed over Carlos Alcaraz, clinching a staggering $6 million prize, which marked the largest payout in tennis history. His journey to the title included victories over notable competitors like Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic, while all six participants were guaranteed $1.5 million just for showing up.
As Sinner gears up for the Paris Masters, set to kick off tomorrow, he’s aiming for his first title at this prestigious Masters 1000 event, adding to an already remarkable 2024 season where he has claimed seven titles.
In a recent interview with Eurosport, Sinner shared his thoughts on the substantial prize money from the Six Kings Slam. “No, I don’t play for money,” he asserted. “It’s very simple. Of course, it’s a nice prize, but I went there because I wanted to measure myself against the best players in the world.”
He described his experience in Riyadh as a positive one, noting it was his first visit to the city. “When you come back as a winner, it’s more about playing the matches correctly and hoping that this can help me grow as a player in the future,” he added.
While acknowledging the importance of money, Sinner stated, “I live a good life without it. Health, my loved ones, and my family are much more important to me than money—it’s just a bonus.”
His comments didn’t go unnoticed, with three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka humorously reacting on social media with a laughing emoji in response to Sinner’s remarks.
Looking ahead, Sinner is set to face either Ben Shelton or a qualifier in his opening match in Paris, as he aims to continue his successful trajectory in the sport.