The sinner exits the Monte Carlo Masters as chaos engulfs the doubles tournament

Jannik Sinner has officially withdrawn from the doubles event at the Monte Carlo Masters after colluding with Zizou Bergs. The Italian-Belgian pair reached the round of 16 after defeating Casper Ruud and Tomas Machac in their first match, but have now given up the No.

There were to be eight 16-round matches in the doubles event in Monte Carlo, but two have already been abandoned, with Sinner and Bergs the second team to withdraw. The Czech duo of Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik also withdrew, as a finger injury forced Mensik out of the competition altogether and led to his withdrawal.

Sinner and Bergs both reached the last 16 in singles play. No. 2 seed Moetsalibe found his way into the first round and breezed past Ugo Humbert on Tuesday, winning 6-3 6-0 in just over an hour. Meanwhile, Bergs beat Adrian Mannarino in the first round and upset 15th seed and former champion Andrey Rublev on Wednesday.

It then emerged that the pair were withdrawing from the two-person event, and Bergs father Koen was quick to confirm that this was the Sinner’s choice. “It’s official now. No double R2 for Zizou and Jannik,” he tweeted. “Jannik withdraws from the doubles match. It makes sense as he could be N1 in this tournament. However, a great experience for Zizou that will never be forgotten.”

Before the tournament, Bergs and his father knew Moetsalib would need to focus on the singles, and wondered if he would enter the doubles event – especially since he lifted the Miami Open title just seven days before the Monte Carlo Masters began.

“We know for sure that Jannik will decide whether he really plays doubles or not. He just won the Sunshine Double, so it is possible that he wants to rest a little. On the other hand, he could get more points since he did not participate last year. Let’s wait and see,” Koen told Ubitennis days before the Monte Carlo Masters began.

Before retiring, world No. 40 Bergs broke out with his collaboration with Sinner. “It’s amazing that Jannik wants to share the court with me. Why? I don’t know! But does it help? Indeed, to share some knowledge. Also, it’s amazing to learn from him,” he smiled.

“What’s funny, I was on the bench with him, and suddenly, he started laughing so hard because I said to him, ‘When I try to play football, I can’t play tennis.’

“I just think he thought it was funny that I had that idea in my head of wanting to make the ball and not do anything about it. Things like that really help with more experience and knowledge in my system.”

Andreozzi and Guinard will now face the No. 1 seed. 1 Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos after reaching the quarter-finals via walkover. Frenchman Guinard lifted the trophy here last year with fellow Monegasque Romain Arneodo. And they weren’t the only ones who got a walkover, as Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski also went straight into the locker room when Lehecka and Mensik came out.

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