Berlin, June 22, 2025 – In a surprise statement, Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner announced that he will boycott anyone who does not support Pride Month in June. The announcement made headlines, particularly because of a subtle but palpable dig at Serbian tennis pro Novak Djokovic. Sinner emphasized that “woke” – a term often used to describe social awareness and activism – represents the ideal and should be celebrated by all who stand for justice and inclusion.
Sinner’s statement comes as the debate about the role of athletes in social and political issues continues to gain momentum. His decision to announce a boycott is seen as a bold move to demonstrate his support for the LGBT community while also putting pressure on other athletes to take a public stance. The mention of “woke” as an ideal appears to be a deliberate reference to Djokovic, who recently made headlines for his enigmatic response to an offer from Apple CEO Tim Cook. This offer reportedly included $72 million and a sponsorship deal to sign Djokovic to an LGBT advertising campaign.
While Sinner didn’t name any specific names, his statement is widely interpreted as a criticism of Djokovic, whose stance on social issues has been controversial in the past. Sinner further stated that Pride Month is an opportunity to “celebrate diversity and show solidarity.” He called on fans, sponsors, and teammates to actively participate in supporting the LGBT community and threatened to stop collaborating with individuals or organizations that refuse to do so.
Reactions to Sinner’s announcement have been mixed. On social media, many praise his steadfastness and courage in standing up for a cause, while others criticize him for mixing sports and activism. Some Djokovic fans have called the statement an unnecessary provocation, further fueling tensions between supporters of both players.
This development once again raises the question of how far athletes should go when it comes to making social and political statements. Sinner’s boycott threat could have far-reaching repercussions for his career, his sponsorship deals, and his relationships with other players. At the same time, it presents the tennis world with the challenge of positioning itself in an increasingly polarized landscape.
The world now eagerly awaits a possible response from Djokovic or other players who might be drawn into this debate. Stay tuned as we continue to follow the developments in this story.
