Jannik Sinner delivered a four-word message when he met a journalist who insulted him.
Sinner beat Stefanos Tsitsipas, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz in the Six Kings Slam - an exhibition tournament - to defend his title, before winning the Vienna Open to claim his fourth title of the season.
But he won't be involved in the Davis Cup, having opted to withdraw from the tournament, so Italy will attempt to triumph in their third consecutive Davis Cup without their star player, with the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and Flavio Cobolli set to spearhead the home nation’s quest.
Sinner chose to skip the team event with the start of the new campaign at the forefront of his mind.
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Naturally, his decision to miss this year's Davis Cup garnered plenty of attention from the tennis media, including journalist Bruno Vespa, who pulled no punches.
Vespa slammed Sinner's decision to skip the Davis Cup, questioning why the Italian public should root for him.
He referenced the world No.2's German heritage before giving props to Alcaraz, who will represent Spain at the Davis Cup.
"Why should an Italian root for Sinner? He speaks German (right, it’s his language), lives in Monte Carlo, doesn’t play for the national team in the Davis Cup to take an extra week of vacation," he exclaimed. "Kudos to Alcaraz who takes the field for his Spain."
Despite being criticised by Vespa, Sinner signed an Italian flag for the journalist.
His message read: "To Bruno, with love."
Credit to the 24-year-old for signing the Italian flag even though he was slated but his face told a picture as he looked annoyed.
On his decision to withdraw from the Davis Cup, Sinner accepts the criticism that will come his way.
"All I can say is that I accept all criticism," he said after his opening round win at the Vienna Open. "I have already spoken extensively on this matter and have nothing more to add."
Tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou jumped to the defence of Sinner and explained why it could actually be a good thing.
"Leave Jannik Sinner alone," he began.
"That’s what I’ve been telling people since he announced he would skip the Davis Cup, at home.
"I’ve read that he might even skip Paris to focus on the ATP Finals even if that no longer seems to be relevant today, based on his latest quote in Vienna. And yes, to some people, that sounds shocking, especially when you see him play an exhibition but not a Masters 1000 or the Davis Cup."
Mouratoglou added: "But let’s take a step back.
"I actually think it’s a good thing. Not that he skips Davis Cup specifically, but that top players today finally have the freedom to make their own choices.
"For too long, tennis players have been living under a mandatory schedule. But players aren’t machines. They know their bodies. They know when to push, when to rest, and when it’s time to protect their future.”
Topics: Jannik Sinner, Tennis
Nasir Jabbar