Angelo Binaghi, the long-serving president of the Italian Tennis Federation, has ignited a fresh controversy after comparing Jannik Sinner's attitude unfavorably with that of Carlos Alcaraz, specifically referencing the Spaniard's purchase of a luxury yacht. The remarks, made during an interview with Corriere della Sera, have drawn widespread criticism from tennis fans who accused Binaghi of unnecessarily targeting Alcaraz.
Binaghi's Comments on Sinner and Alcaraz
Binaghi, who has led the federation since 2001, used the interview to discuss the rise of Italian tennis and the example set by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. He praised Sinner's determination during a physically demanding second-round loss at Roland Garros, where the Italian chose to continue despite cramps rather than retire. "It all starts with example. Sinner choosing to stay on the court, to try until the very end, without complaining about his condition. But when have we ever seen anything like that before?" Binaghi said.
However, the tone shifted when Binaghi contrasted Sinner with Alcaraz. "Can I say it? Unlike Alcaraz, Jannik will never buy himself a six-million-euro yacht. I'm sure of it, and I don't think I'll be proven wrong." The comment referenced reports that Alcaraz had commissioned a custom Sunreef Ultima 88 yacht valued between €6 million and €10 million, a purchase linked to his ambassadorial role with the Polish yacht builder.
Fan Backlash
The remarks quickly spread on social media, where fans condemned Binaghi for commenting on a player's personal life. One user wrote: "It's disgraceful that Binaghi, as president of the Italian Tennis Federation, feels entitled to comment on Alcaraz's private life. I can't imagine other presidents saying this." Another added: "Omfg the audacity? How is this not a punishable offense?"
Others questioned the consistency of Binaghi's criticism, noting that Sinner himself owns luxury vehicles including a Ferrari 812 Competizione and Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS. One fan wrote: "All this righteousness from Binaghi is ridiculous when his golden boy doesn't even live in Italy, preferring the tax haven of Monaco."
Some fans interpreted the comments as jealousy or a pattern of diminishing Alcaraz. "The jealousy in this man's heart is obvious. Carlitos, keep on doing you," one user said. Another suggested a wider conspiracy: "I'm starting to suspect bigger forces at play against Carlos."
Not the First Time
This is not the first time Binaghi has used Alcaraz as a benchmark. Following Sinner's Australian Open title defense last year, Binaghi told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I always thought that Sinner was in perspective much stronger than Carlos Alcaraz and that his real rival would be Zverev." That comment also drew criticism for praising Sinner by diminishing Alcaraz.
The Bigger Picture
The controversy comes at a time when Sinner and Alcaraz are seen as the defining rivalry of the post-Big Three era. Both players are in their early twenties, have multiple Grand Slam titles, and are expected to dominate men's tennis. However, Binaghi's remarks shifted focus from tennis to lifestyle choices, with fans pointing out that luxury purchases are common among elite athletes like Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal.
Binaghi's comments have sparked a debate about the role of federation presidents and the boundaries of public discourse. As one fan put it: "They can't speak on Carlos' tennis, so they speak about his yacht? What does it have to do with anything?"
