The Italian told Eurosport during a Rolex Paris Masters interview that the record purse was “just an extra” benefit to facing stiff competition.
On October 19, Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the inaugural Six Kings Slam event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Italian’s victory came with a record $6 million purse, though Sinner insists the significant financial gain was not his motivation for playing the six-man exhibition.
Back in Paris for the final ATP Masters 1000 event of 2024, Sinner was asked by Eurosport during his pre-tournament media about the feeling of returning home with that paycheck in hand.
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“I don’t play for money. It’s very simple,” responded the ATP’s world No. 1. “Of course, it’s a nice prize and everything but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world. And then you can measure yourself with them.
“It was also a nice event for me. It was the first time I went to Riyadh and it was nice. When you come back as a winner, for me, it was more that, ‘Okay, I played the matches in the right way and this hopefully can improve me as a player also for the future.’”
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Sinner has compiled a 65-6 record in 2024 during his rise to No. 1.
Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic before denying Alcaraz in the championship match to earn the hefty payday. Away from that appearance, the 23-year-old has racked up more than $12 million in prize money on tour this year following his first two Grand Slam title runs at the Australian Open and US Open, to go with five additional trophies that include three at the 1000 level and two on the 500 stage.
“The money is important but not that much. I live a good life also without this money,” he said. “I think it’s much more important the health I have and surrounding myself with great people and the family. And then the money, it’s just an extra.”
Upon seeing the quote circulate on X (formerly Twitter), three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka responded with a ‘tears of joy’ emoji.
I don’t play for money. It’s very simple. Of course, it’s a nice prize and everything but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world…Jannik Sinner
With his results this year, Sinner has already locked up the year-end No. 1 ranking going into the final stretch of the season.
His future status is currently up in the air, with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealing the “no fault or negligence” finding in Sinner’s anti-doping case to the Court of Arbirtration (CAS). The San Candido native twice tested positive for low levels of clostebol—an anabolic steroid—during Indian Wells, but successfully appealed on the spot before the details were released in August following his Cincinnati triumph.
In his Paris-Bercy opener, Sinner could meet Ben Shelton if the left-hander advances past a qualifier or lucky loser. The American is due to meet Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Sunday’s Basel final.
