Sinner responds to the intense criticism over skipping the Davis Cup Finals

Jannik Sinner provided a short and firm response when questioned about the critics of his decision to not participate in the 2025 Davis Cup Finals.

Italy’s chance to secure a third consecutive Davis Cup title took a major hit as Sinner announced he would not be attending the finals next month. The ATP world No. 2 was a key player in Italy’s victories in 2023 and 2024.

Sinner stated that he will skip the Davis Cup Finals, scheduled from November 18 to 23, to dedicate that week to preparing for the 2026 Australian Open in January.

This decision sparked considerable backlash, notably from Italian tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli – the 1959 and 1960 Roland Garros champion. He criticized Sinner’s move as “disrespectful to the homeland” and suggested it reflects a trend where athletes prioritize money over honor.

When asked about this reaction at the 2025 Vienna Open, Sinner chose not to engage in lengthy debates but calmly responded: “I can say I accept all criticism, but I have said all I needed to say and have nothing more to add.”

It was a wise and diplomatic answer that helped avoid fueling the controversy further. The 24-year-old player seems largely unaffected by external opinions—something he likely learned after dealing with a previous doping-related incident that attracted attention.

Earlier rumors suggested Sinner would skip the 2025 Paris Masters and use the Vienna Open as preparation for the ATP Finals, which he won at home last year. However, the Italian player ended speculation by confirming his participation in the French capital.

As the season nears its end, this year’s Wimbledon champion expressed his desire to give his best effort to finish the year strongly: “After Vienna, I will play in Paris. The season is almost over, only three tournaments left — it’s time to focus fully on the final stretch.”

Despite being recognized as one of the best indoor hard-court players globally, Sinner has yet to claim a Paris Masters title. Carlos Alcaraz also has never won here, adding extra motivation for both top players at the upcoming event.

The four-time Grand Slam champion began his Vienna Open campaign with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Daniel Altmaier in just 58 minutes, losing only four points on serve — his quickest win this season.

After the match, Sinner expressed satisfaction with his performance, especially in the first set, while maintaining focus ahead of opponents known for strong indoor serves: “Everything felt very smooth in the first set. On indoor courts, you have to be extremely cautious — once your opponent starts serving well, breaking serve becomes very difficult. But I’m very pleased with today’s performance, a positive start both in terms of play and feel.”