The last few months have been particularly difficult for Jannik Sinner, despite his excellent results on the tennis court. The world number 1 – who was the most consistent player in 2024 – was found positive twice for a steroid called Clostebol in March during the Indian Wells Masters 1000.
Jannik Sinner, Beijing 2024© Stream screenshot
The 23-year-old from San Candido was placed on provisional suspension, which was revoked by ITIA after just one day having found his version of events credible. After a long trial, the Italian ace was recognized as innocent just before the start of the 2024 US Open (in which Jannik won his second Grand Slam title of his young career).
Just when the case seemed to be over, WADA announced that it had appealed against the acquittal order asking for a one to two year suspension of Sinner due to his negligence. The two-time Grand Slam champion has not hidden all his disappointment with the WADA decision, waiting for a final verdict in early 2025. Meanwhile, the world number 1 reached the final in Beijing losing to his huge rival Carlos Alcaraz at the end of a truly memorable match. Jannik then flew to Shanghai, where he prevailed over Taro Daniel and showed excellent physical hold.
A new precaution
The doping case has mentally conditioned Sinner. The Italian ace admitted that he had spent several sleepless nights during this period and spoke of how difficult it was to manage stress. Due to the unfortunate contamination caused by the fuel used by Giacomo Naldi, Jannik has decided to further strengthen his precautions. During the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, Ulises Badio was seen massaging the world number 1 using a glove.
Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner, Beijing Open 2024© Stream screenshot
Record after record in a season when adjectives are finished to describe him. Jannik Sinner continues to score great goals in 2024, the latest after his debut victory at the Shanghai Master 1000 against Taro Daniel (6-1, 6-4 in just over an hour). The world number one became the first player of the second millennium to reach 250 wins in the ATP major circuit, almost at the same time as Carlos Alcaraz reached 200.
But not only: the Italian star has brought home the 60th success of the year (including the 40th on hard court, the surface on which it is able to express itself at its best and make a difference compared to almost all the competition). A figure that he managed to achieve also last year and was thus the sixth athlete, with maximum 23 years of age, to win 60 games during the season for more consecutive years.
A very small tennis club has managed to conquer this record: Australian ace Lleyton Hewitt (from 2000 to 2002), American legend Andy Roddick (2003-2004) and of course the Big Three with Roger Federer in 2003 and 2004, Rafael Nadal from 2007 to 2009 and Novak Djokovic (2007-2010).
Sinner will face Etcheverry
Sinner will try to increase the number of wins in Shanghai, where he is expected to return to the court on Sunday for the third round of the competition. The Italian has entered the final phase of the season, a part in which will be played much on the indoor hard courts (conditions that further highlight his game). Inevitably, everyone will still want him among the absolute protagonists, as it has been since the beginning of the year.
The 2-time Grand Slam champion played a good match against ATP veteran Taro Daniel in Shanghai and will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry tomorrow. “I talked a bit with my team after the match, and we agreed that my return game, the return itself, is something that needs to be a bit better in the coming days. I believe everything else worked quite well today, even though the match has always been in my favor. If you manage to break your opponent’s serve early in each set, you play with a bit more confidence” – the Italian said in the press conference.
Jannik Sinner, Beijing 2024© Stream screenshot
Despite his recent difficulties, the World No.1 is ready to compete: “Yes, I’m just happy to step onto the court, and I hope to continue playing at a high level of tennis, which is most important to me. I hope to do so. It’s clear that a great challenge awaits tomorrow; it will be a different match, but I’m very excited.”
The US Open champion has already stated that he wants to achieve a great result especially at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Last year Sinner played a great tournament in front of his fans, losing only in the final against Nole Djokovic. Immediately after that defeat, the 23-year-old from San Candido dragged Italy to victory in the Davis Cup Finals by beating Serbia in the semi-final and Australia in the final.