The organizers have reserved luxury accommodation for Jannik and the other “masters.” This is how costs are shared in the circuit
“The Presidential Suite at the Principi di Piemonte hotel is considered a true icon of luxury, now named after Maria José, the last queen of Italy. Located on the top floor, it offers a splendid panoramic view to enjoy the city from a truly privileged vantage point.” This is how the five-star hotel hosting the “masters” of Turin describes the jewel in its collection. Forgive us for this introduction, which may seem like an advertisement, but which instead aims to convey the idea of a refuge reserved for the “master of masters,” because he is number one in the world, because he is the title holder, but above all because he is the idol of an entire country. Jannik Sinner is staying in these sumptuous 135 square meters, which include a bedroom, living room with private bar, two bathrooms in fine marble, a wellness area with exercise bike and whirlpool, and state-of-the-art technology. The price is around 4,000 euros per night.
Tennis is a physically, mentally, and financially demanding sport. Unlike soccer players, tennis players must invest in themselves and manage their own budgets, meaning they have greater responsibilities. This is both the beauty and the curse of being a “freelancer” in sports. In the ATP circuit, hospitality is provided by the organizers, with coverage levels varying depending on the type of tournament. In Challenger tournaments, players are usually entitled to one room, while in the major circuit and Slams, they are entitled to two. In Turin, almost all the participants in the Finals are staying at the Principi di Piemonte: the organization pays for a couple of rooms per player, who can then pay extra for any other people accompanying them. Sinner has been assigned the main suite, while the other players – starting with Carlos Alcaraz – have been distributed among the other suites. Hospitality is one of the obligations that local organizers (in this case, the FITP) must provide to the ATP. Standards must be high in all areas. In the federal budget, the Finals cost almost €60 million, including prize money (this year $15.5 million, with a record check of $5,071,000 for the undefeated winner), fees to be paid to the ATP itself ($17.5 million), and expenses for facilities, services, staff, player hospitality, and marketing. But the end result is positive. We all know what the Finals represent for Italy: in 2024, the economic impact on the region—direct, indirect, and induced—was $504 million, generating 3,431 jobs and adding $243 million to GDP, according to research by the Boston Consulting Group.
Honors and burdens— As for Sinner’s suite, we must not fall into easy populism. Jannik, like other top tennis players, is a company that generates spectacle, excitement, and money. We used the term “company” for a reason. The prizes in tournaments are substantial. In 2025, the world number one has already earned $14 million in prize money, in addition to exhibitions, sponsorships, bonuses, and royalties. But these are not the actual earnings. As mentioned at the beginning, the life of a tennis player is very expensive. And most of these costs fall on the athletes themselves, who have to pay for technical staff, travel, training facilities, medical care, and even racket stringing. All things considered, a top ten player can spend up to €1 million per year.
