Carlos Alcaraz gives ‘totally opposite’ verdict on Jannik Sinner’s “I don’t play for money” comment

Carlos Alcaraz candidly revealed he participated in the Six Kings Slam solely for the money, unlike Jannik Sinner.

Carlos Alcaraz gives ‘totally opposite’ verdict on Jannik Sinner’s “I don’t play for money” comment

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz after their Six Kings Slam final (Image via Reuters)

The Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia has been heavily criticized by players and legends in recent weeks. In the heat of the growing dislike of that, Jannik Sinner carefully put out that his decision to play in the tournament was not about the money. But, Carlos Alcaraz has revealed the exact opposite of what the World No.1 revealed.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, Alcaraz, and Sinner featured in the Six Kings Slam. With each player going home with $1.5 million at least as prize money, Sinner pocketed $6 million extra as champion. The Italian defeated Alcaraz in the final to claim the biggest prize money in tennis history.

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However, after the tournament ended, legends such as Andy Roddick and Andy Murray took a dig at the humongous prize money. Nonetheless, in a recent interview, Sinner suggested that the prize money was not part of what motivated him to compete at the exhibition tournament.

The World No.1 statement was defended by Roger Federer’s ex-coach Paul Annacone, who revealed that the best players take their fair share of the money. But Alcaraz offered a straightforward response about the Six Kings Slam. He revealed that he played at the event just for the money.

Well, I mean, if I say, I mean, I went there just for fun or to play and forget the money, I’m gonna lie. That’s obviously — I mean, every person works for that, as well. You know, I love playing tennis. You know, most of the time I don’t think about the money. I just play for love or for fun. But you have to be realistic. You have to think that you want to earn money, you know, and that’s it. In Arabia, it is the highest prize money ever in history, so that was a good motivation, at least for me.

Carlos Alcaraz said during his press conference at the Paris Masters

Meanwhile, Alcaraz’s defeat against Sinner at the Six Kings Slam final was his first loss against the Italian this season. The Spaniard has won against the World No.1 three consecutive times this year.

‘Fresh’ Carlos Alcaraz aims to win his maiden Paris Masters

Carlos Alcaraz has often struggled at the Paris Masters. In his three participations at the tournament, he has only reached the quarterfinals once. Previously, he has blamed his disappointments on tiredness, but this year, he has revealed that it would be totally different.

Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X)

The Spaniard has won four titles this year but is still seeking his second Masters 1000 title of the season. He failed to reach the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters, despite having won the China Open before the tournament. He confessed during his press conference that he is ready to achieve good results at the Paris Masters.

So last year, arriving at the last tournament of the year, I was probably tired, didn’t play as well as I wanted. But this time I feel different. I know what I have to do. I’ve been doing a great job recently. So I think I’m ready to achieve good results or at least go further than last year, which is not very difficult.

Carlos Alcaraz said via Puntodebreak

Alcaraz has already confirmed his ATP Finals qualification but is yet to cement his World No. 2 position. With a Paris victory, he will secure the position and hope to win the year-end event next month.