Jannik Sinner has sparked controversy by declining an invitation to meet Sergio Mattarella, the Italian president, at the Quirinale following his Australian Open triumph.
The 23-year-old’s decision to skip the prestigious gathering at Mattarella’s official residence has divided opinion across the nation.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sinner opted to prioritise rest over attending the ceremonial meeting, which was scheduled to include several other Italian tennis players.
The three-time Grand Slam champion’s choice comes after an intense period of competition and success on the tennis circuit.
Jannik Sinner has sparked controversy by declining an invitation to meet Sergio Mattarella, the Italian president, at the Quirinale following his Australian Open triumph
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Sinner’s latest triumph came as he defeated Alexander Zverev in straight sets at the Australian Open, successfully defending his title.
The victory marked his third Grand Slam championship, adding to an impressive 2024 season that saw him claim multiple major titles.
The Italian star also played a crucial role in his nation’s Davis Cup success, helping Italy secure victory for the second consecutive time in Malaga.
Following these accomplishments, Sinner has withdrawn from the upcoming Rotterdam Open, an ATP 500 tournament he won last year.
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Jannik Sinner has been criticised by some fans for turning down the chance to meet Sergio Mattarella (pictured , right, meeting Boris Johnson in 2021)
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Sinner’s decision to rest comes after a particularly demanding schedule, with minimal breaks between tournaments.
Following his Davis Cup victory, he had less than a week off before heading to Dubai for training.
The young champion’s need for recovery was evident during the Australian Open, where he faced health challenges during his fourth-round match against Holger Rune.
During that match, Sinner took an 11-minute medical timeout and was visibly shaking at points.
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His coach Darren Cahill later revealed that Sinner “looked white as a sheet” before the Rune match.
The decision to skip the meeting with the Italian president has sparked mixed reactions across Italy, with the nation divided over Sinner’s choice.
Some supporters have backed his prioritisation of health and recovery, particularly given his recent illness during the Australian Open.
Others, however, have questioned his decision to miss the presidential meeting, viewing it as an important national honour following his remarkable achievements.
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Sinner’s focus appears firmly set on maintaining his competitive edge, with rest taking precedence over formal engagements.
Speaking after his Australian Open victory, Sinner highlighted the importance of his coaching team.
“Every coach I have been with, there is a huge amount of work that we have done,” he said.
Jannik Sinner recently crushed Alexander Zverev to win the Australian Open for the second year in a row
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He praised his tactical coach Simone Vagnozzi, describing him as “an amazing coach”.
Sinner also acknowledged Cahill, who is in his final season as a coach.
“The whole team is so amazing. But the work still continues – I’m still 23 years old, so let’s see what is coming,” Sinner added.