In an individual sport like tennis, players face scrutiny not just on the court, but also for how they spend their money and free time. Even its legends, like Rafael Nadal, had to face raised eyebrows over expensive purchases, such as his multi-million-dollar custom 80-foot Sunreef Power catamaran. Carlos Alcaraz has sailed right into a similar criticism, this time from Italian Tennis Federation President Angelo Binaghi, who also praised Jannik Sinner as a “champion fallen from the sky.”
Italian Tennis President Angelo Binaghi Praises Jannik Sinner’s Work Ethic With Pointed Dig at Carlos Alcaraz’s Lifestyle
In a recent interview with Corriere Della Sera meant to praise Sinner, Binaghi couldn’t resist taking a direct shot at Alcaraz’s off-court life. Binaghi credited Italy’s recent success in tennis to hard work and humility, pointing to Sinner as the prime example, in contrast to the previous generation, who let early success lead to arrogance.
Binaghi said, “Now we have a champion, fallen from the sky, who is leading the movement with the example of hard work. Can I say it? Unlike Alcaraz, Jannik will never buy himself a 6-million-euro yacht. I’m sure of it, and I don’t think I’ll be proven wrong.”
Earlier this year, Alcaraz made headlines by commissioning a custom 88-foot Sunreef Ultima power catamaran. Becoming a brand ambassador for the Polish luxury builder, the 23-year-old spoke about wanting to “influence younger people” with yacht ownership.
Fans and media outlets immediately criticized his purchase, linked it to his work ethic, and branded it a lack of focus on the tour. Former Italian coach Riccardo Piatti, who has coached Sinner, said the expensive purchase wouldn’t have happened if Alcaraz were still with his ex-coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, comparing it to Toni Nadal being strict with a young Rafa Nadal.
And recently, Ferrero gave an interview with Corriere della Sera in which he said Piatti might be right, and faced backlash over edited quotes such as “Maybe I told him no too many times, but Carlos was family to me, and that’s how I raise my children.” And the Spanish coach had to issue a statement clarifying that he has no judgment about Alcaraz’s yacht purchase, stating that buying a yacht is “neither good nor bad.”
While Binaghi used the yacht to paint Alcaraz as a distracted, flashy spender, the reality is that top-tier tennis stars, including Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic, are not new to luxury. Even Sinner is the proud owner of multiple expensive cars, including a custom $2 million Ferrari 812 Competizione, a Ferrari Purosangue, an Audi RS6 Avant ABT C8 Legacy Edition, a Porsche 911 (992) Carrera 4 GTS, and more.
Meanwhile, both Alcaraz and Sinner had physical setbacks recently. While the Spaniard was forced to withdraw from both the French Open and the upcoming 2026 Wimbledon Championships due to a lingering right wrist injury, Sinner suffered a terrifying physical collapse in the second round of Roland Garros 2026.
Next up, it’s the grass-court season, and the Italian will be back to defend his title.
