"I would be very willing to trade. Many young people in Italy have never seen the national team play in a World Cup," Sinner told a Eurosport reporter on 6/4, while attending this week's Monte Carlo Masters.

Sinner celebrates his championship after the Miami Open final at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, US on 29/3. Photo: Reuters

The Italy national football team lost to Bosnia&Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final on 1/4, marking their third consecutive absence from the sport's biggest global event, a tournament they have won four times.

Sinner was only 13 years old when Italy last played a match in a World Cup (2014). The tennis player currently holds 26 ATP titles, including two championships at Indian Wells and Miami last month. He added about the hypothetical trade: "It's unbelievable. I've answered many interviews, and now French reporters are asking me this. I'm just kidding, of course."

During the press conference before his opening match at Monte Carlo, Sinner also discussed his familiar encounters with rival Carlos Alcaraz. "I remember our matches. He always pushes me to the limit and helps me improve," Sinner stated. "However, both of us understand that if we want to face each other, we have to reach the final, and the path to get there is always very difficult."

The two young stars of the tennis world have not faced each other yet in 2026. Sinner will play his opening match in the second round today, 7/4, as the second match on center court, against Ugo Humbert at 6 PM (Hanoi time). Immediately after, Alcaraz will compete against Sebastian Baez. These are challenging tests for the duo holding the top two spots in the world rankings.

Sinner has an opportunity to reclaim the world number one position, as he is guaranteed to earn points at Monte Carlo, having missed the tournament last year due to illness. If he wins the title, even if Alcaraz reaches the final, Sinner will return to the top of the ATP rankings.

Vy Anh