Jannik Sinner skipping Milan–Cortina opening ceremony to focus on ranking recovery

Wednesday, 04 February 2026 at 19:30

As the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics get underway, one of Italy’s top sporting figures will be absent from the opening ceremony. World No. 2 Jannik Sinner has decided to skip the festivities to focus on his immediate ATP schedule and preparation for the upcoming Doha tournament.

Sinner’s decision comes despite having been named an ambassador for Olympic volunteers, a role that initially sparked speculation about his involvement. Already during the Australian Open, he was evasive when asked about attending the ceremony, simply responding, “I don’t know.”

The Italian has been clear, however, that his absence does not reflect indifference. He spoke positively about the event and his compatriots’ performances, noting, “I’m sure there will be an incredible atmosphere," he said to La Gazzeta. "There are so many Italians competing, especially from our South Tyrol, which is great because we are small but still known in our sports. It will be nice to watch.”

Sinner also highlighted the athletes he follows personally, recalling his interest during the Australian Open: “I set an alarm to watch their competitions,” he said, referring to Federica Brignone’s return and the achievements of Franzoni, whom he had beaten as a child. Even while absent, he maintains a connection with the action but keeps tennis at the forefront.

Doha as the immediate response after Melbourne

Sinner’s approach is pragmatic. While he values the Olympics and respects the symbolism, he prioritizes court time over ceremony. With the time difference more favourable in Doha, he can follow competitions without disrupting his training. “It will be nice to watch,” he reiterated, signaling that admiration for fellow athletes does not outweigh his preparation.

Sinner’s focus on Doha follows a demanding Australian Open, where he reached the semifinals and fell in a five-set marathon to Novak Djokovic—3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4—after four hours and nine minutes, ending his 19-match winning streak in Melbourne. The Italian surely left disappointed after failing to defend the title he had won in the last two editions—and missing out on another Grand Slam final against Carlos Alcaraz.

The loss was especially frustrating given his opportunities. Sinner held two advantages but failed to convert, stating, “I had 16 of 18 break points and didn’t manage to close it. That was tough,” commented the Italian during a press conference in Melbourne. Doha will offer a quick chance to rebound in a field likely featuring top players including Carlos Alcaraz and Djokovic, allowing him to regain momentum early in the season.

Doha next for Sinner as Alcaraz remains World No. 1

The 4-time Grand Slam champion finished far behind in the rankings after Carlos Alcaraz won the title in Melbourne last Sunday. The Spaniard lifted his 7th major trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets, and also became the youngest player in history to complete the Career Grand Slam—winning all four major tournaments at least once.

In Sinner’s case, he enters a particular stage of his season, as he does not have points to defend over the next three months—since he was suspended at this time in 2025. With three months ahead without defending points—a period that includes four scheduled Masters 1000 tournaments—Sinner will have a chance to recover the top ranking, although he will need to maximise points and titles.

Alcaraz remains World No. 1 for now with 13,650 points—compared to Sinner’s 10,300. In the next ranking update, Alcaraz will lose 500 of those points, considering he will not join the Rotterdam Open to defend the title. In this way, both players will meet again at the Doha Open, which will be the first tournament for both after the Melbourne campaign.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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