Leonardo Iannacci
05 May 2024
Inspired, perhaps, by Agatha Christie and her novel Ten Little Indians, (remember? “In the end there were none left…”), the seeded players of the Rome Internationals are imitating the protagonists of that detective story: Alcaraz withdraws, Medvedev will probably follow him and, yesterday, the most sensational news arrived. Jannik Sinner, our lovely red from Sesto Pusteria, will not participate in the 2024 edition of the Roman Master which is losing pieces and interest: the official announcement arrived via Instagram and the winner of the Australian Open made it known, shocking the people of its fans and, above all, the organizers of the Foro Italico tournament who find themselves with an impoverished draw, without numbers 2, 3 and perhaps 4 in the world ranking.
According to official data, 235,826 tickets have already been sold for a revenue of 19,950 euros (for the final, on average, almost 1,500 euros per ticket!) but some are still available. By and large, for the coupons available on Ticketone and other sites (Viagogo, Ginsberg, Fansale) we have calculated a total value of almost one million euros. A sum which, after the news of Sinner’s withdrawal, risks evaporating given that there is no certainty that the remaining tickets will be sold.
WHAT REMAINS
So, what remains of real attraction at the Rome Internationals? The 37-year-old Nole Djokovic, a group of Italians eager to “avenge” Jannik – from Musetti to Arnaldi, from Sonego to Fognini, for example – and the marble statues of the Foro Italico. We wonder, however, how the Sinner fan will remain who, months ago, shelled out a lot of money to secure expensive tickets for their idol’s matches and, now, will be served a volley from Cerundolo or a backhand from Auger- Aliassime. Will Pearl Anger tear up the coupons he has in his pocket and go to the seaside? There is also the risk of seeing half-empty stands at the Forum, especially in the humid evening sessions, once the allure of seeing Sinner or Alcaraz has evaporated. It is undeniable that the showcase has been impoverished in terms of Roland Garros, or the Slam that follows the Internationals and which certain champions struggling with more or less serious physical stumbles rightly do not want to give up.
Speaking of Sinner, we report here yesterday’s painful words: «After having discussed my hip problems again with the doctors and specialists, I have to announce that unfortunately I won’t be able to play in Rome. Obviously I’m very sad that I didn’t recover, it being one of my favorite tournaments ever. I couldn’t wait to come back and play at home in front of the Italian crowd. I’ll come anyway for a few days and stop by the Foro Italico. Now I will work with my team and doctors to be ready for Roland Garros.”
Sinner, expected today for a press conference at 3pm, has understood that the hip problem revealed in the third set of the semi-final in Monte-Carlo against Tsitsipas and which forced him to withdraw from the quarter-final in Madrid against Auger-Aliassime, requires further rest. Those who thought of a strategic and shrewd withdrawal from the Madrid tournament paid off: the world number 2’s hip is sore, the tired cartilage gives no respite and the decision taken by Sinner together with the doctors is the consequence of intelligent reasoning. Better not to take risks in view of the three evocative seasonal events: the Parisian Roland Garros slam scheduled for the end of the month but, above all, the Wimbledon Championships and the subsequent Olympic tournament, which is played on the same clay as Roland Garros.
BETTER NOT TO RISK
In five years of professionalism Jannik has always demonstrated an admirable balance when compared to his status as a player involved in the exhausting ATP circuit. At every physical problem or sign of tiredness he stopped, he said stop to even important commitments (remember the controversies over the “no” to the Tokyo Olympics and the Davis Cup?). They were certainly not motivated by presumption or arrogance but only by the need to sip their commitments in view of subsequent tournaments. To achieve great results Jannik has always preserved the delicate machine that is his body and he has always been right. This time too, prudence will be the starting point for further triumphs as have already been the Davis Cup, the Melbourne Slam and the two Master 1000s in Toronto and Miami.
