In an explosive and emotional defense of fellow Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner, newly crowned Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini publicly condemned the Roland-Garros tournament director for what she described as a “toxic boycott” against the current World No. 1. Her powerful words came just days after Sinner’s unexpected withdrawal from the French Open, sparking intense controversy within the tennis community.

Speaking to reporters following her own quarterfinal win, Paolini did not hold back as she addressed the growing tension between Sinner and the Roland-Garros organizers, accusing them of showing “zero empathy” toward the 23-year-old champion, who is reportedly struggling with mental health issues behind the scenes.

The Shocking Allegation

“Let’s get one thing straight,” Paolini began in a firm tone. “He’s not guilty. He’s World No. 1. He’s a champion, not a criminal. And yet he’s being treated like one.”

Her words came after Roland-Garros CEO Laurent Delacroix made subtle yet unmistakable comments suggesting Sinner had “abandoned his responsibilities as a top seed” and hinted that his absence was “damaging the tournament’s reputation.” The CEO’s remarks were interpreted by many as a veiled accusation of unprofessionalism.

A Mental Breakdown Ignored?

While initial reports cited a hip injury as the reason for Sinner’s withdrawal, Paolini claimed that there was far more to the story—a mental health crisis that had been deliberately ignored by tournament officials.

“Jannik has been under enormous pressure for months—media scrutiny, expectations, physical fatigue, and yes, mental strain,” Paolini revealed. “But instead of supporting him, they [Roland-Garros organizers] threw him under the bus. No one checked on him. No one asked how he was. They just assumed he’d show up like a robot.”

Sources close to Sinner’s camp later confirmed that the Italian star had indeed been suffering from anxiety-related symptoms during the weeks leading up to Roland-Garros, prompting his team to make a difficult last-minute decision to prioritize his health.

Tennis World Reacts

Paolini’s passionate defense triggered a flood of reactions across social media. #StandWithSinner and #PaoliniPower began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of fans and players voicing their support for both athletes.

Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas reposted the clip of Paolini’s press conference with the caption: “Mental health is health. Full stop.”

Meanwhile, former World No. 1 Andy Murray weighed in on the controversy, tweeting: “Jannik is one of the most professional guys I’ve seen. Shame on anyone questioning his integrity.”

Even mental health advocacy groups praised Paolini for bringing attention to the issue. “Elite athletes aren’t immune to mental struggles,” said Dr. Lina Hargrove of the Global Athlete Mental Wellness Foundation. “The way we treat them when they’re vulnerable says everything about our values.”

Roland-Garros Fires Back

In response to the backlash, Roland-Garros issued a short statement defending its CEO:

“The comments made by Mr. Delacroix were in no way intended to question Mr. Sinner’s professionalism or integrity. We wish him a speedy recovery and remain committed to supporting the mental and physical well-being of all players.”

However, critics noted the statement failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing or offer a direct apology to Sinner or his team.

A Pattern of Pressure?

This isn’t the first time Roland-Garros has been at the center of mental health controversy. In 2021, Naomi Osaka withdrew from the tournament after being fined for skipping press conferences due to mental health concerns. At the time, tournament officials were accused of prioritizing media obligations over athlete welfare.

Now, with Sinner facing similar treatment, many are asking whether anything has truly changed.

“They keep saying they care about players’ health,” Paolini said. “But when someone actually needs support, they question him. That’s not care. That’s control.”

Paolini’s Rise and Message

While standing up for Sinner, Paolini has also been enjoying her own historic rise. With her powerful baseline game and fearless mindset, she’s advanced to her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland-Garros, capturing hearts across Italy and beyond.

But she made it clear that speaking out wasn’t about grabbing headlines:

“This isn’t about me. This is about the culture we’re building in tennis. I’d rather lose a match than stay silent when someone like Jannik is being treated unfairly.”

What’s Next for Sinner?

While Sinner has yet to speak publicly since his withdrawal, sources say he is resting and receiving support from his close circle in Monaco. Whether he will return in time for Wimbledon remains uncertain, but fans are hopeful he will bounce back stronger than ever.

In the meantime, the spotlight remains on Roland-Garros—and the conversation Jasmine Paolini has reignited: What does it really mean to protect athletes in today’s high-pressure world?