Jannik Sinner is in the news for reasons other than his recent achievement on American soil, one day after taking home the championship in Cincinnati. After testing positive in two anti-doping tests carried out in March of last year, the Italian has been declared innocent of any wrongdoing, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The statement states that a trace amount of the illegal drug Clostebol was discovered in his system; however, Sinner asserts that his physiotherapist unintentionally contaminated him.
Sinner proves his innocence by announcing his opposition to doping in sports and restating his support for the ITIA and its initiatives in a statement. The tennis community has responded quickly to this news because it is remarkable that this situation has come to light six months after the events.
Denis Shapovalov and Nick Kyrgios find it incomprehensible that the Italian player, who tested positive twice, is still permitted to compete.
Now that all the details have been proven, Toni Nadal feels compelled to share his thoughts regarding the Sinner case. Rafa’s uncle and former coach offered informative insights in his column for El País after considering the matter and seeing how others responded. He genuinely thinks the Italian player is innocent.
He wrote about it: “I find it unthinkable that he could have acted falsely and knowingly regarding doping. His team’s mistake has been sufficiently punished. I don’t understand some players casting doubt on his innocence or demanding a punishment they know would be excessive.”
“It is absolutely clear to me that the Italian player does not want to commit any infraction, and even more so, not to seek any advantage through the use of prohibited substances.
I know the player well enough to be able to say without a shadow of a doubt that he is one of the most correct and well-mannered guys on the circuit. For me it is unthinkable that he could act in an unfair manner.” “There was a problem within his team that he paid for quite dearly with the financial penalty and the loss of ATP points.
It leaves me very perplexed how some of the press, instead of criticizing the excessive sanctions of other occasions, now demands a similar punishment for the world number 1. It is not surprising that there are always people who take the right to speak and judge without fully knowing the case.
It really amazes me even more that there are other tennis players on the tour who have taken a stand against him. I don’t understand how some of his colleagues who know him well, have trained with him and faced him in matches doubt his innocence or want a punishment against him that, strictly speaking, would be absolutely disproportionate.
For the sake of a healthy society, in this case as in others, it would be appropriate to remember the phrase of one of the greatest writers of all time, Goethe: ‘Wickedness needs no reason, a pretext is enough.’”
Jannik Sinner in 2024
Now ranked no.1, Sinner played his last match on the 19th of August when he overcame world no.20 Francis Tiafoe 7-6(4) 6-2 in the final in Cincinnati to win his 16th career title.
Presently, during this year Jannik has achieved a compiled 48-5 win-loss record. Jannik conquered 5 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle and Cincinnati.
Jannik Sinner will play the world no.140 Mackenzie Mcdonald in the 1st round on Tuesday at 2:00 pm on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Their head to head is 3-0 for Sinner.
The Italian conquered 5 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle and Cincinnati.
Sinner won 16 titles in his career: 7 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 7 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Jannik Sinner |
| Embed from Getty Images |