Follow us on Google Discover Jannik Sinner electing to miss the Davis Cup this year has attracted a big reaction.
Sinner chose to miss the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna this year, despite helping Italy win the title over the past two years.
The reasoning behind this decision was to get an extra week off after a long season, but Sinner has been heavily criticised for this decision.
It has even prompted Italy’s Davis Cup captain to call for a rule change, and now Sinner has responded to the growing conversation surrounding his absence.
Photo by GEORG HOCHMUTH/APA/AFP via Getty ImagesJannik Sinner responds to backlash after choosing to skip the Davis Cup
After Sinner earned another $6 million at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event, he returned to ATP Tour competition at the Vienna Open.
The world number two got off to a very comprehensive start, with Sinner impressing in his first round win in Vienna over Daniel Altmaier, which lasted just 58 minutes.
After winning his first match in the Austrian capital, Sinner spoke to Sky Sports Italy and was asked about the topic that everyone is talking about at the moment.
While he did not give a very long answer at all, Sinner did accept the criticism he has received for making this decision.
“I can only say that I accept all the criticism,” said Sinner. “I’ve already said everything on this topic and I have nothing to add.”
Sinner was also asked about his upcoming match against compatriot Flavio Cobolli, who he has never actually played before.
“We’re friends and we spend a lot of time together, it will be a tough match,” said Sinner. “I have a lot of respect for Flavio, he’s having an incredible season and is improving tournament after tournament. We hope for a good match.”
Jannik Sinner criticised for signing up to play exhibition in South Korea
Sinner is not the only player who has been mindful about the busy tennis calendar, with Carlos Alcaraz also critical of the tennis schedule in recent times.
However, both players have now come under some fire after it was announced that they will be playing an exhibition match in Seoul, South Korea in January.
One person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “They bleat about burnout and too many tournaments, yet they happily play exhibitions…money talks!”
They bleat about burn out and too many Tournaments, yet they happily play exhibitions…money talks!
— Sue Magee (@SueMallard7) October 22, 2025
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Someone else said, “Then they will come and cry about the calendar lmao.”
Another person added, “Then they’ll complain about how long the season is (laughing face emojis).”
Then they’ll complain about how long the season is 🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡
— Lucas Benítez (@Lucas51192) October 23, 2025
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The exhibition match between Sinner and Alcaraz will take place on January 10, just before the Australian Open.
Before then, Sinner will focus on the end of the 2025 season, with three more tournaments left in Vienna, Paris and then in Turin for the ATP Finals.