Jannik Sinner recently faced some skepticism after claiming that money wasn’t his primary motivation for participating in the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia. In stark contrast, his fierce rival Carlos Alcaraz offered a more candid perspective on the same topic.
Sinner, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, not only clinched victory in the three-day tournament but also took home an astonishing $6 million winners’ prize, along with a hefty $1.5 million appearance fee. However, during an interview with Eurosport ahead of the Paris Masters, he downplayed the financial incentive.
“No, I don’t play for money,” Sinner stated. “It’s very simple. Of course, it’s a nice prize and everything, but you know, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world, and I wanted to measure myself against them. It was also a nice event for me. It was the first time I went to Riyadh, and it was for something very special.”
Sinner emphasized that returning as a champion was more about his performance than the cash. “I played the matches the right way, and this can hopefully improve me as a player for the future,” he explained. He added, “Of course, the money is important, but not that much. I live a good life without it. My health and my family matter more than the money—it’s just an extra.”
While Sinner’s remarks raised eyebrows, Alcaraz’s take seemed more grounded. When asked about Sinner’s assertion that money didn’t matter, Alcaraz smiled and replied, “Well, I mean, if I say I went there just for fun or to play and forget the money, I’m gonna lie. That’s obvious. Every person works for that, as well. That’s how life is.”
He continued, “I love playing tennis, and most of the time I don’t focus on the money. I play for love or fun. But you have to be realistic—you want to earn money, and that’s it. In Arabia, they had the highest prize money ever in history, so that was a good motivation, at least for me.”
It’s hard to take seriously any athlete who claims they aren’t swayed by the lucrative financial opportunities when competing in Saudi Arabia. Sinner’s assertion that his motivation was solely the sporting challenge certainly sparked skepticism, and Alcaraz’s more transparent stance highlights the reality many athletes face: the balance between passion and financial reward.