Roger Federer’s former coach, Paul Annacone, recently shared his thoughts on Jannik Sinner’s suggestion that players should have the option to skip tournaments if they wish. Annacone, who coached Federer from 2010 to 2013, expressed his skepticism about the feasibility of Sinner’s advice, stating that it may not work for everyone. He emphasized that players with aspirations for the World Tour Finals or major sponsorships often need to participate in more tournaments to remain competitive.
The issue of a congested schedule has elicited varying opinions across the ATP and WTA tours. Carlos Alcaraz has raised concerns about the ATP schedule potentially taking a toll on players due to the high number of matches and tournaments. Annacone highlighted the complexity of deciding when to skip tournaments, especially for players balancing commitments to year-end championships, teams, sponsors, and partners.
In addition to Sinner’s comments, other players like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have also weighed in on the scheduling debate. Swiatek has advocated for extended breaks during the season, while Sabalenka has called for equal prize money for male and female players given the similarities in their schedules. These discussions underscore the ongoing challenges and considerations surrounding tennis scheduling in professional tennis.
On a different note, Jannik Sinner’s remarkable success on the court this season has been marred by a failed doping test earlier in the year. Despite testing positive for an anabolic steroid, an independent tribunal ruled that Sinner was not at fault and opted not to penalize him. The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the banned substance inadvertently entered his body through a spray used by his physio during a massage.
Following the tribunal’s decision, the World No. 1 continued to compete and achieved significant victories at prestigious tournaments, amassing nearly $14 million in prize money since March. His triumphs include titles at the Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Masters, Madrid Masters, Wimbledon, Cincinnati Masters, US Open, and Shanghai Masters, with a notable win at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia where he earned $6 million.
Despite the doping controversy earlier in the season, Sinner’s resilience and success on the court have solidified his position as a top player in the sport. The ongoing legal proceedings between WADA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport add another layer of complexity to his remarkable journey in professional tennis. As the season progresses, the tennis world will continue to monitor Sinner’s performances and the broader implications of his doping case on the sport.
