Stubbs would prefer Sinner to be more open
Former world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who also competed in the event, fell to Sinner in the final. However, the Spaniard was more serious in his comments, stating that the money was a great incentive for him to accept the invitation to compete in the exhibition event during his busy ATP schedule.
“Well, I mean, if I say I went there just for fun or to play and forget about the money, I’m going to lie,” the Wimbledon champion said. “That’s clear. I mean all people work for that too. You know, that’s life.
“You know, I love playing tennis. Most of the time I don’t think about money. I just play for love or for fun. But you have to be realistic. You have to think that you want to win money, you know, and that’s it. “You know, in Arabia there is the highest prize money in history, so it was a good motivation, at least for me.”
On an episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, the retired pro speculated on why Sinner wasn’t as forthcoming in his motive as Alcaraz.
“I love him very much, because he trusts so much in being politically correct: ‘No, I didn’t go for money. I’m just playing,'” said the Australian. “The six best players in the world are there and I want to test myself.”
“Listen, Jannik, I love you, but man, come on! There’s no way you’re adding a tournament to your calendar. Like Carlos said [Alcaraz]: ‘Of course I went for the money.’
“Jannik, I know you want to be politically correct about everything because you are. You want to be like Roger Federer, who says everything very well. But sometimes, you say, ‘Yes, it was interesting. I wanted to go visit. They paid us a lot of money,’ and that’s why I went.”
