Jannik Sinner collected the most significant paycheck ever seen at an ATP tournament, but it is still not the highest amount he has won at an event this year.
Sinner completed a perfect week at the ATP Finals by easily defeating Taylor Fritz in the final. The world No. 1 did not drop a set throughout the tournament, and was superb from his first match until the last.
The Italian has enjoyed one of the best seasons in recent memory on the ATP Tour, securing two Grand Slam titles, eight titles, and the year-end No. 1 ranking, becoming the fastest man to guarantee that spot since Novak Djokovic in 2015.
Although the tennis calendar is long and grueling, Sinner still found time to play at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia alongside Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune.
Sinner became the Six Kings Slam champion, beating Medvedev, Djokovic, and Alcaraz. The final against Alcaraz was an entertaining battle, but the Italian recovered to triumph 6-7, 6-3, 6-3.
As is always the case with events held in Saudi Arabia, the financial rewards were massive. Sinner earned $6 million for winning the exhibition, the largest paycheck in tennis history.
There was also a $1.5 million participation fee for all six players. Many understandably assumed all six players went to the Six Kings Slam primarily to take advantage of those financial incentives.
However, Sinner insisted afterward that he does not play for money and only went to the Six Kings Slam to compete against some of the best players in the world and test his level against them.
Only Sinner knows whether that is true, but he was also handsomely rewarded for winning the ATP Finals, although the sum given to him as the champion did not quite match that of the Six Kings Slam.
Sinner collected $4,881,500 for winning the ATP Finals without dropping a set. That is the highest paycheck given for an ATP tournament, with Djokovic's prize money at the 2022 ATP Finals coming closest.
That means Sinner earned nearly $11 million just from the Six Kings Slam and the ATP Finals. Even if the 23-year-old is sincere about not playing for money, that might be hard for him to ignore.
Sinner also moved into the Top 10 in ATP prize money earned after winning the ATP Finals. He is one place below his biggest rival, Alcaraz, and the pair will undoubtedly substantially increase their prize money in the future.
Financial rewards for men's players have never been better than currently. The ATP has increased the prize money it offers in recent years, and the increased involvement of Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly add more financial benefits.
Sinner's last tournament of his memorable season is this week's Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Team Italy is scheduled to play Argentina on Thursday and will face the United States or Australia in the semifinals if the team reaches that stage.
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