Jannik Sinner singles out Prince and Princess of Monaco after winning Monte Carlo Masters | Tennis | Sport

Jannik Sinner paid tribute to Prince Albert and Charlene, Princess of Monaco, after being crowned the Monte Carlo Masters champion. The world No. 2 defeated his greatest rival, Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6(5) 6-3 in Sunday’s final as the royals watched on alongside Melanie-Antoinette de Massy.

It was an extra special win for Sinner, who resides in Monaco, and the newly-crowned champion started his victory speech with a special message for the Prince and Princess while they stood next to him on the stage.

“Firstly, I want to thank Prince Albert, Princess Charlene, and Melanie,” the Italian said. “Thank you so much for making this event possible with all the sponsors. For us, it’s a huge pleasure. For me, more living here, and living this moment, it means a lot to me. So thank you so much.”

Sinner then turned his attention to Alcaraz, who lifted the trophy here last year but was unable to defend his title. He continued: “Of course, Carlos, congrats to you and your team. You’re doing amazing things year after year, and you keep showing why you are the player you are, achieving things what nobody else achieved before with your age.

“Facing you, especially in finals, at the end of the tournament, it makes it even more special, so thank you so much. I wish you all the best for the rest of the season.”

It was a home tournament for Sinner in more ways than one. Not only does he live in the Principality, but Monte Carlo is also near the Italian border, so he had plenty of support in the stands and in his own box, with his family joining his team courtside to watch him be crowned the champion.

“My team, thanks for pushing me to the limit. It has been a very, very interesting week, starting here, trying to understand again how to play on this surface, and now, having this here, it means a lot to me,” Sinner told them.

“Thanks, every single one there in the box, thanks for supporting, thanks for understanding me, and we try to keep pushing. Thank you.” The new Monte Carlo Masters champion rounded off his speech by thanking the crowd in Italian, and they responded by breaking out into chants of “Ole Sinner”.

The 24-year-old will return to No. 1 in the world when the rankings update on Monday, and is next expected to compete in the Madrid Open later this month, another tournament he has never won before. Sinner will then round out the clay swing with his home event, the Italian Open, before heading to Roland Garros in search of his fifth Grand Slam crown.

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