A decision that has grated on many and left a great deal of bitterness after the great results achieved in recent months. The world number 1 in tennis, Jannik Sinner, withdraws from the Olympics due to tonsillitis, which seems to have debilitated him too much to participate.
The first stop after a rapid rise
On January 28, 2024, he became the first Italian to win the Australian Open against Daniil Medvedev. Considered one of the strongest Italian tennis players ever, the young prodigy (born in 2001) boasts an already astonishing palmarès: one Slam title, one Davis Cup, two Masters 1000, five ATP 500, and six ATP 250 titles. He is, in fact, the most successful Italian player ever.
It therefore leaves a sense of dissatisfaction and a bit of bitterness not to see the shining star on the courts of Paris, especially given the great prestige of the Olympic games. Jannik will have to wait another four years to take the stage at such an event for the first time (if all goes well as expected).
Even without our tennis ace, however, a flourishing Olympic edition is in sight for the Italian national team. To learn more: Italian athletes to watch for medals at Paris 2024
The strange sequence of events has given rise to the most disparate hypotheses. Jannik Sinner might indeed not be in a condition to compete in an important event like the Olympics, and he has every right to make his own decisions. It is certain, however, that until more information is available, the gossip surrounding him is unlikely to cease.
Tonsillitis can stop a champion
In an era where champions are often considered superior to human weaknesses, criticism has rained down on the tennis champion’s decision. Setting aside personal judgments, the main criticism has been the timing of the choice.
The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) frowned upon the decision, especially due to the lack of advance notice and the lack of private communication with the player. Doubts have thus arisen regarding the competence of Jannik’s staff, as the federation learned of the decision shortly before the announcement appeared on the tennis player’s social media profiles. Communicating with the federation first to try to find a solution would certainly have been seen differently.
The additional problem is that the deadline for confirming the convocations was July 19, so after Sinner’s withdrawal, the Italian team will be left with a vacant spot.
