A spectator was escorted off the court by security at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh for approaching world No. 2 tennis player Jannik Sinner. Following a decisive 6-2, 6-3 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first match, Sinner was approached by a young fan who seemed to be requesting his jacket after the game.
The fan engaged in a brief conversation with Sinner, repeatedly gesturing towards his jacket. Although the dialogue was not captured by microphones, the interaction seemed to puzzle the four-time Major winner as the boy tapped Sinner’s jacket and then pointed to himself.
Security swiftly intervened, removing the boy from the court so Sinner could exit. The 24-year-old player had recently withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters due to challenging weather conditions, where he was defending his title and experienced severe cramps during a match.
Arriving in Riyadh to defend his championship at the Six Kings Slam, Sinner attributed his cramps in Shanghai to a mental aspect, acknowledging the learning experience from such challenges. Despite the setback, he rebounded at the tournament, defeating Tsitsipas and advancing to the semi-finals to face Novak Djokovic.
Reflecting on his upcoming match, Sinner shared insights on his strategic approach against Djokovic, emphasizing aggressiveness in his game plan and highlighting the importance of strong serving during critical moments. He also noted the unique court conditions at the event, describing it as “quite bouncy.”