John Isner Lashes Out at Miami Open for Prize Money Jannik Sinner Received After Win: “Insane and Absurd”

Jannik Sinner has become the eighth man in the history of the Masters 1000 to complete the Sunshine Double. He lifted his first title of the season by defeating Daniil Medvedev and later went past Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final.

Sinner was handed a cheque of  $1,151,380 after his win in the California desert. In Miami, he pocketed $1,151,380. Now this prize money is less than what the champions in both events earned back in 2018. Indian Wells gave Juan Martin del Potro $1,340,860, while 2018 Miami Open champion John Isner earned $1,340,860. Isner, during an episode of the Nothing Major Show, criticized the Miami Open for this year’s winner not getting a larger share of the total prize pool.

At the Masters 1000 events, the winner’s cheque has gone down. When I won Miami in 2018, I won more money for winning the title than Sinner did this year in 2026.

Sinner didn’t stop there. After his success on American soil, Sinner went on to reach his career’s fourth clay-court final at the Monte-Carlo Masters and clinched his second title on the surface by defeating Carlos Alcaraz.

They have spread the prize money out, and there is more total prize money. But the winner’s share was $200,000 less, give or take, in 2026 than it was in 2018. That’s insane, it’s absurd. No sport in the world has that going on right now. It’s ridiculous.

John Isner added

Sinner won at Indian Wells for the first time in his career. But in Miami, the 24-year-old has now won two titles after playing four finals.

Rennae Stubbs on why Carlos Alcaraz lost the Monte-Carlo Masters final

Carlos Alcaraz needed just the win over Jannik Sinner to defend his title at the Monte-Carlo Masters. But to everyone’s surprise, the four-time Grand Slam champion emerged victorious in straight sets.

It was Sinner’s second consecutive victory over his arch-rival (after the title clash of last year’s ATP Finals). Sinner now holds a 7-10 head-to-head record over the seven-time Grand Slam champion. Following the match, Serena Williams‘ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, explained the reason why she thinks Alcaraz lost the match.

I feel like he’s (Sinner) hitting the ball a little bit bigger. I feel like Carlos’ serve is not doing enough damage. I know that he changed his serve at the start of the year, but you have to think maybe. He doesn’t quite have the same pop as Jannik.

Because he failed to defend the title, Alcaraz lost the No.1 title to the 24-year-old. Alcaraz had the chance to reclaim his spot by winning the Barcelona Open. But a wrist injury forced him to hand the walkover to Tomas Machac.

Clearly, Jannik, you know, has just a little bit more firepower, not only in the serve, but – the forehand. He was just crushing balls all over the place and taking advantage of certain things.

Rennae Stubbs added

The Monte Carlo win has made Sinner only the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to clinch the first three Masters 1000s of the season in the same calendar year. He has also become the fourth man, after Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, to win four consecutive Masters 1000 titles (Sinner won last year’s Paris Masters against Felix Auger-Aliassime).

The last time Sinner lost a match at this level was in the third round of last year’s Shanghai Masters. He, in fact, handed the walkover to Tallon Griekspoor after cramps forced him to accept defeat. Next is the Madrid Open. Alcaraz has pulled out of the tournament. Sinner is also contemplating not playing in the Spanish capital.

Also read: Boris Becker Sends ‘Unique’ Novak Djokovic Grand Slam Warning to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW