The doping case relating to Jannik Sinner was certainly one of the most controversial in recent years. The world No.1 dominated the season, winning eight titles and accumulating a huge lead over all his opponents in the ATP ranking.
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria was found positive for Clostebol in two different anti-doping controls carried out in March during the Indian Wells Masters 1000, but ITIA believed his version of events and his provisional suspension was revoked in a very short time.
The Italian ace experienced months of intense stress before the verdict, which came just before the start of the US Open. ITIA has sanctioned his innocence, but WADA has decided to appeal against the acquittal sentence asking for a disqualification from 1 to 2 years. The new trial before the CAS in Lausanne has not yet taken place and is unlikely to be held before March. The 2-time Grand Slam champion has continued to cooperate with the authorities and hopes that this ugly case does not damage his image too much.
Sinner and Swiatek© X / Twitter
Jannik has had to suffer heavy attacks and criticism in recent months, especially from Nick Kyrgios, who has taken an almost obsessive attitude towards him. The Australian talent has not missed a single opportunity to harshly criticize the world number 1, who in his opinion deserves an exemplary punishment.
Sinner has never responded to Kyrgios, continuing to focus on tennis ahead of the start of the new season. The Italian ace – who returned to his family for a few days to spend Christmas – will not play any official tournament before the Australian Open, in which he will have to defend the title won in 2024. The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria will train in Monte Carlo in the coming days, before flying to Australia at the beginning of January. In the week leading up to the Happy Slam, the world No.1 will play a couple of exhibition matches at Melbourne Park (he will face Australian ace Alexei Popyrin in the first match).
Sinner remains silent
In an interview with Eurosport, former World No.1 and top analyst Mats Wilander spoke about Sinner’s doping case: “I think Jannik Sinner is completely innocent. There’s no chance that he was trying to do anything illegal and it wasn’t his fault at all.
It would be interesting to see if Jannik Sinner could hold it together and keep his cool if he was playing against someone like Nick Kyrgios at, say, the old Vodafone, John Caine Arena, where they let all the ticket holders in at the Australian Open, where the average age in the crowd is from 60 years old down to 16 years old or maybe 20 and some of them are having a few beers, too many.
And that atmosphere would be interesting to see if Jannik Sinner could keep his cool if Nick Kyrgios really got ahead of Sinner.”
Jannik Sinner, Cincinnati 2024© Stream screenshot
For the moment, the 2-time Grand Slam champion has shown incredible mental strength for a player of just 23 years old. Despite the stress and pressure associated with this controversy, the 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria has not lowered his level during the season achieving amazing results.
Jannik’s numbers in 2024 are truly impressive: eight titles – including two Majors, three Masters 1000 and the Nitto ATP Finals – 73 wins and only 6 defeats. Sinner hopes to know his fate as soon as possible, but this is unlikely to happen before March.
Sara Errani on Jannik’s case
On the latest edition of the ‘Supernova’ podcast, Italian star Sara Errani expressed her point of view on this case: “The Jannik Sinner doping case? We talk about it among ourselves in the locker room. And we came to the conclusion that it is not easy, that each case has its nuances and it is not possible to generalize.
We need to know how everything happened, it is difficult. We need to improve the timing because there are athletes who have waited months and months, while others have solved the problem in two or three days.”
Jannik Sinner, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
It will not be easy for the Italian champion to achieve the same results in 2025. The world No. 1 – who will remain at the top of the ATP ranking even after the AO – will have to defend almost 12,000 points next season and all opponents will give their best to beat him.
Jannik will be able to try to earn points on the red clay and grass, a part of the season in which he has had some physical problems this year (especially in the hip). Unlike in recent years, the Italian is not expected to play the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 in 2025 (preferring the Munich ATP).
Tennis World USA