Jannik Sinner gave up his opportunity to represent Italy at the Olympics in order to focus on his development as a player.
The teenager stunned many with his decision but a string of bad results prompted the teenager to skip the Olympics in order to better prepare for the North American hard-court swing. Sinner was heavily criticized by several notable tennis-related people such as Corrado Barazzutti. The former Italian Davis Cup captain said:
"It is impressive to see 34-years-old Djokovic excited to participate in the Olympics. Sorry to see Jannik Sinner 20 years mortifying the highest competition in the world as values. Which no athlete without physical problems would give up for anything in the world. Especially at the first participation. Sinner has already given up on the Davis Cup twice."
The words were extremely harsh and suggest that Sinner lacks interest in representing Italy internationally which is something Sinner underlined as a great honour for him. Barazzutti further said:
"Obviously, if you do not believe in certain values if certain principles are not valid, it is better to stay at home. Too bad for Jannik a more wrong choice was never made. Too bad for Lorenzo Musetti. Registrations are closed and he will not be able to replace him."
Despite that Musetti will able to take his place at the Olympics because ITF made a concession.