Coach defends Sinner’s Saudi mega-payday

Coach Darren Cahill has rallied to the defence of Jannik Sinner after the world No. 1 sparked controversy with his record-breaking USD 6 million prize money haul from last month’s Saudi exhibition.

The Italian banked the biggest cheque ever cut in tennis for winning the hit-and-giggle event among six top players last month,

Asked as to what influence the outsized payday had on his participation, the native German-speaker answered in English to Eurosport: “I don’t play for money. It’s very simple. 

“Of course it’s a nice prize, but I went there because there was possibly the six best players in the world and you can measure yourself with them. It was also a nice event,”

That somewhat unbelievable response drew a laughing emoji form veteran Stan Wawrinka in an online post.

The situation may have inspired Australian Cahill to jump into the controversy in an effort to save face for his VIP client.

 “What he said about not going to Riyadh for the money was misinterpreted.

“Or maybe he didn’t explain himself well. The truth is that he had never played an exhibition, he has always been focused on improving his tennis. He knows what his priorities are.

“Then he got an offer for the Six Kings Slam, with the six best players in the world and a lot of money. He consulted us and we said why not, and he accepted.”

Sinner is headlining from Sunday at the this week at the ATP finals in Turin, where he is top seed as the eight best players this season clash.

Main photo:- Darren Cahill with Andre Agassi after winning 2003 Australian
Open – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos