President of the Italian Tennis Federation, Angelo Binaghi, recently sparked controversy with remarks about Carlos Alcaraz while praising world number one Jannik Sinner. In an interview with Corriere della Sera on 8/6, Binaghi defended Sinner following his unexpected defeat at Roland Garros 2026. He stated that Italian tennis possesses a champion with a unique personality and a lifestyle distinct from many young stars today.

Binaghi directly contrasted the two players, saying, "Unlike Alcaraz, Sinner would never buy himself a yacht worth 6 million Euro".

This brief remark quickly sparked controversy on international tennis forums. According to Spanish and Italian media, Binaghi intended to highlight Sinner's absolute focus on his playing career. However, his use of Alcaraz as an example was seen as disrespectful to the Spanish player, who, alongside Sinner, is creating a two-horse race in current men's tennis.

Mr. Binaghi and Sinner during an interview after the 2026 Australian Open - the tournament the Italian player won in January in Melbourne. *Photo: AFP*

The origin of the statement stemmed from information that Alcaraz commissioned a superyacht through a partnership agreement with luxury shipyard Sunreef. The vessel's value was estimated by several European newspapers to range from 6 to 10 million Euro (7 to 11,5 million USD).

On Reddit forums, fans argued that how Alcaraz uses his income is a personal matter and unrelated to his on-court successes. Many criticized Binaghi for creating unnecessary animosity between two young stars widely regarded as the future of world tennis.

This is not the first time Binaghi has drawn attention with statements concerning Alcaraz. In recent years, he has repeatedly expressed his belief that Sinner possesses greater potential than his rival and could dominate men's tennis in the next phase.

The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has been a hot topic in the tennis world for the past three years. The two players, born in the 2000s, have consistently shared major titles, succeeding the generation of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer at the center of world tennis.

Sinner is highly regarded for his composure, discretion, and complete focus on his game. In contrast, Alcaraz has a more outgoing personality, frequently appears in commercial activities, and is not shy about enjoying the rewards of his on-court successes.

Sinner is expected to return at Wimbledon, the grass-court Grand Slam starting on 28/6, while Alcaraz will be absent for the remainder of the grass-court season due to injury.

Vy Anh