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Carlos Alcaraz - Cincinnati Open 2024, Jannik SInner - US Open 2024
ATP Tennis Players, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Tennis News, Tennis Tournaments

Jannik Sinner responds to Carlos Alcaraz: You don’t have to play


Jannik Sinner has responded to complaints about the number of ATP tournaments in the current calendar, with the World No.1 suggesting that players can make ‘choices’ on whether to compete or not.

Sinner is returning to action this week as defending champion in Beijing, in his first tournament since winning the US Open.

When speaking to press in the Chinese capital, Sinner was questioned about what he thought of recent remarks made by rival Carlos Alcaraz, who claimed that the current tennis calendar is getting ‘too much’.

“Yeah, the schedule is quite long obviously these years,” responded Sinner. “But we players, we can still choose what to play and what not to play. Obviously we have some mandatory events, yes. As a player, you can still choose. I think of that.”

The Italian continued, “It is a very busy schedule this year; there are a lot of tournaments. You don’t have to play a tournament. If you want, you can play. If not, you don’t play.

“For example last year and also this year, I didn’t play some tournaments because I wanted to practice. There are some choices behind this. In general, yeah, the season is quite long, so sometimes it’s not easy.”

Players are currently required to compete in all Masters 1000 tournaments that they have direct entry for, as well as four ATP 500 tournaments each year, alongside the four Grand Slams.

With Sinner currently the No.1 ranked player, having won two major titles and two Masters 1000 crowns this year, he has already qualified for the year-end ATP Tour Finals.

However, the 23-year-old still appears to have lots of motivation heading into the latter stages of the 2024 season, “I think I always try to improve. Doesn’t really matter the result I have, what I managed to achieve, I always try to understand myself and what I have to improve off the court and on the court, all these things.

“Of course, I’m excited to be back and play tournaments because this is what I practice for. Even in the practice sessions, I always try to understand what’s working and what’s not working. Obviously we found out that we have some areas where I have to improve. It’s all part of the process what I have. I think this is the most exciting part.”

Sinner will return to action tomorrow, beginning his China Open title defence against Chilean Nicolas Jarry.

Inside the baseline…

Carlos Alcaraz is not the only player to make complaints about the ATP scheduling, with Jack Draper and Alexander Zverev also doing so. While Jannik Sinner is correct that players like himself and Alcaraz have freedom to choose, that it not the case for lots of players who do not have that same financial comfortability. It is clear that something does need to be done, as injuries also appear to be on the rise on both tours.

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Matthew Johns, Tennishead Writer, is a professional tennis journalist with a specialist degree in Sports Journalism. He's a keen tennis player having represented his local club and University plus he's also a qualified tennis coach. Matthew has a deep knowledge of tennis especially the ATP Tour and thrives on breaking big tennis news stories for Tennishead.