Inside Jannik Sinner's £3.5k-a-night suite at ATP Finals that risks upsetting Carlos Alcaraz - The Mirror

Jannik Sinner gets his ATP Finals campaign underway on Monday, and the Italian favourite has already been given a slight leg up over his competition as he targets a title defence

Jannik Sinner has been handed a significant advantage over his rivals as he bids to retain his ATP Finals title. The world No. 2 has been given the finest suite at his Turin hotel, while Carlos Alcaraz and the remaining competitors have been assigned more modest quarters.

Sinner makes his return to the Inalpi Arena on Monday as he pursues another championship triumph on home turf. The 24-year-old defeated Taylor Fritz in the 2024 decider to secure the Finals crown before his adoring supporters and returns as the bookmakers' choice to defend the season-ending prize.

His chances have been boosted by the five-star Principi di Piemonte Hotel, where competitors will be housed during this year's tournament. Sinner will occupy the venue's £3,500-per-night Presidential Suite, whereas his rivals must make do with somewhat less opulent surroundings.

Gazzetta dello Sport revealed Sinner's accommodation boasts a private bar, two marble bathrooms, a wellness area featuring an exercise bike and a hot tub. It's hardly a bad way to unwind during precious rest periods between matches throughout a gruelling week.

The hotel's own description of its most exclusive lodging reads: "The Presidential Suite at the Principi di Piemonte Hotel is considered a true icon of luxury, now named after Maria Jose, 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."

Sinner will kick off his ATP Finals defence on Monday evening against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Italian compatriot Lorenzo Musetti stepped in to replace Novak Djokovic, who pulled out due to a shoulder injury.

Some might argue it's only right for the defending champion to get the best digs on offer given they may not hold that title again. However, others could argue this gives Sinner an unfair advantage over his rivals, especially since the tournament is taking place on his home turf.

If there's any grumbling among his competitors, it didn't show in Alcaraz's performance as he opened the tournament on Sunday. The Spaniard defeated Alex De Minaur in straight sets to take an early lead in the Jimmy Connors Group.

Alcaraz's top performance at the ATP Finals so far was reaching the semifinals in 2023. He then failed to make it past the round-robin stage last year after early losses to Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud.

Zverev is back in the running this year and made a strong start with a straight-sets victory over Ben Shelton on Sunday. Unlike Alcaraz, the German has already won the ATP Finals title, having topped the tournament in both 2018 and 2021.

A whopping £12million in prize money is up for grabs in Turin, with the champion pocketing a cool £1.8m. However, the winner could potentially more than double that sum if they manage to remain undefeated throughout the tournament, taking home a staggering £3.87m.

Sinner, known for his unusual habit of sleeping until just 45 minutes before some matches, will be aiming to replicate his success at this year's Australian Open and Wimbledon, where he triumphed over Zverev and Alcaraz, respectively. And a good night's sleep might just be his secret weapon.