Sinner comes down to earth after Saudi mega-payday

After banking USD 6 million in Saudi for a couple of exho hours on the court, Jannik Sinner was brought back to earth at the ATP level on Monday as he completed his first training session in Vienna.

The world No. 2 who earned further bragging rights after defeating arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-4 after losing the US Open final last month to the Spaniard.

Sinner went through his paces in the Austrian capital prior to his start at the indoor event which he won in 2023.

The Italian has already qualified for the year-end finals next month in Turin but needs to get back to serious competition as he strives to keep pace with Alcaraz, the current top-ranked man to beat,

After the two-hour practice session, the Italian crowd favorite willingly signed autographs and posed for selfies, much to the delight of his large fan base.

Sinner filled the rest of his day after the two-hour hit with media obligations prior to his opening match against German Daniel Altmaier.

“I have many positive memories of the tournament that helped me with  wildcards many years ago and which I won two years ago,” the 24-year-old said.

“I’m in good shape physically and mentally and will try to play my best tennis here. I’m ready to serve here and hope for a good week,” who parents have made the trip from their mountain village in northern Italy for the tournament.

“It’s onoy a six-hour drive away. Vienna is a nice tournament at the end of the season – also for my family. 

‘Hopefully, the atmosphere will be as good as it has been in previous years,” he added.

Sinner also, who had to quit a match with suspected cramping – or more seriously, knee problems – pulled the plug on defending Italy’s Davis Cup title in November in Bologna.

“We decided that as a team to have an extra week to prepare for next season,” he said while not revealing if he plans to compete in the eight-man ATP Finals.

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner with 6 Kings Trophy after pocketing $6 million – by 6 Kings Tournament