World No.1 Jannik Sinner has expressed his disappointment at missing out on making his debut at the Olympic Games for Italy. The 22-year-old was forced out of the tournament due to tonsilitis, admitting he was "strongly advised" by doctors to rest. Speaking to Italian journalist Giovanni Pelazzo, Sinner confessed that it is difficult to watch the Games unfold instead of competing.
"I saw some of the Olympics, although I didn't watch much tennis. It broke my heart not to be able to go to Paris, the Games were one of my main goals of the season," Sinner said.
For the first time in 100 years, Italy claimed a medal in an Olympic tennis event after Lorenzo Musetti continued his stellar form to win bronze against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
With women's doubles final action still to commence later tonight at 11pm AEST involving Italian pairing Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani up against Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider, the reigning Australian Open champion is focused on the positives.
"In the end though, looking at everything from a broader perspective, Musetti won a bronze, so an Italian is happy and I am happy for him. Let's hope for gold (in the women's doubles final)," he said.
Currently in Montreal ahead of the first Masters 1000 event of the North American swing, Sinner will aim to go back-to-back at the Canadian Open, having defeated Australia's Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-1 in last year's final.
The tournament alternates every year between Montreal and Toronto for the ATP and WTA tours.
Sinner took time to answer questions at the draw ceremony, stating his ambition to keep focused and stay grounded.
“It’s just a different number," he said when asked about entering as the top seed. "Me and my team, we try to make the process, our daily routine, to make everything in the best possible way and just try to be ready for every challenge that comes up.
“I’m very happy to come back here. It started off from last year (in the) semis of Wimbledon and then I came here for the first Masters event I won. I’ve been very consistent throughout one year and that’s at least what we will try to do in the next months also.”
Possible path for Sinner at Montreal 2024:
R1 - BYE
R2 - Q/Martinez
R3 - Griekspoor/Tiafoe
QF - Rublev/Paul
SF - Medvedev/Tsitsipas
F - Zverev/Hurkacz/Dimitrov/Ruud
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