Italian sensation Jannik Sinner decided to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics as he wanted to concentrate on the ATP tour. The decision has turned out brilliantly for the youngster as he clinched his third ATP title by winning the Citi Open.
According to reports, the youngster decided to withdraw from the Summer Games after listening to his coaching team as they felt that the Italian should consider improving his game. Sinner’s decision to give the Olympics a pass, was met with a lot of criticism. In the latest episode of Il Circolo degli Anelli, former Roland Garros champion Adriano Panatta shared his disappointment for the youngster who decided to miss the Olympics.
“I was disappointed with Sinner’s non-participation in the Olympic Games,” said Panatta. “He has great talent, he will become one of the strongest in the world but at 19, if they call you to the Olympics, you can even go there on foot.”
Panatta was not happy with Jannik Sinner being controlled by others and even went on to label him as a moron.
“The soul of an athlete is the only thing you cannot train: you are born one way and finish one way,” Panatta went on. “Jannik Sinner managed by others? Sorry, I don’t want to be as disruptive as usual, but I think if you let yourself be handled on these things you are a moron. Then if you want I can also speak in an elegant way and not say anything of what I think.”
Panatta who was the last Italian to win a major also shared his opinion on Matteo Berrettini who missed the Olympics due to injury. Panatta feels that Berrettini had a strong chance to win the Gold medal for Italy.
“Berrettini forfeited due to injury, I’m sorry because he could have won the medal gold,” added the Italian.
The 71-year-old claims that tennis has lost its Olympics culture. He gave the example of Novak Djokovic’s semifinal loss in Tokyo to support his statement.
“There is no Olympic culture in tennis. Djokovic also went blank. I was captain of the Italian team in three Olympics, and during the inauguration ceremonies, I was thrilled. The Olympic sentiment either you have it or you don’t have it,” Panatta concluded.
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