"My aunt is not feeling well health-wise and I don't know how much longer I have her in my life," he said.
It was more straightforward in New York as he rarely looked troubled by Fritz, who struggled to build any momentum.
"I know we have been waiting for a champion for a long time so I'm sorry I couldn't get it done this time," said Fritz.
Tom Hanks stars in an intense thriller based on true events. VideoTom Hanks stars in an intense thriller based on true events
"He's stepped up a role and I feel like he's taking everything as seriously as he can and fair play to him, that shows he wants to stay."
He subsequently parted ways with the physio and his fitness trainer - but questions continued about whether Sinner's case had been handled differently to those of other players because of his world number one status.
It marks a new era of tennis as 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, who was knocked out in the third round, ends the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017.
A mediados por somana ya calentaron el ambiente con el despliegue de una gigantesca lona en Madrid, donde podía apreciarse la silueta de un jugador encapuchado. El secreto ha sido desvelado y, sin duda, pelo ha dejado a los aficionados indiferentes.
Just six days before the main draw got under way, it was announced he had twice tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol - a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass - in March.
It comes just 19 days after it was revealed he had been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for a banned substance in March.
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A world champion cyclist has swapped the velodrome for the cramped deck of the fastest yacht in the world. Why?
He was not at the peak of his powers for the entire two weeks, but still only dropped two sets and saved his best for the final.
Cheered on by a home crowd packed with celebrities and sporting stars, Fritz got off to a shaky start when he dropped serve in the first game.