According to Andy Roddick, Jannik Sinner has some responsibility for his team, even though the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is requesting a one- to two-year ban for him. Roddick said he wouldn’t have been alarmed if Sinner had received a suspension sooner.
On a recent podcast episode ‘Served with Andy Roddick’, Roddick talked about Sinner’s case and WADA’s appeal. He said that in the event that a player’s drug test results are positive, they will have 48 hours to prepare their defense. According to him, world No. 1 did exactly that, supplying the required paperwork to demonstrate his innocence and continue competing.
Roddick talked about it recently and said: “In all of these cases if you’re organised enough to know, to figure out what the source of claiming ‘no fault, no negligence,’ the source of the substance, you have like a 48-hour shot clock from when you’re notified. Talk to your team, talk to everyone else, get to know the problem to solve the problem, which Jannik Sinner did with it within that 48-hour period which is why he has gotten some time and didn’t have to stop playing.”
Additionally, he said that he wouldn’t have been surprised if Sinner had received a six-month ban during the 2024 US Open because he thinks players should be accountable for their team. This is a reference to the Italian’s ambiguous plea that his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had accidentally given him traces of clostebol during a massage.
According to Roddick, Sinner cooperated with his attorneys throughout the allotted 48 hours, which is why he was found not guilty and permitted to resume his play.
Roddick added: “I don’t think he did it on purpose. He did execute within that 48-hour period. He got his ducks in a row and submitted his case. He was able to move very quickly in a very organised fashion with a bunch of fancy lawyers. This isn’t a tennis issue if you can afford a fancy lawyer you normally get to a result faster and softer.”
Jannik Sinner in 2024
At the moment ranked no.1, Jannik played his last encounter on the 2nd of October when he was defeated by world no.2 Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(3) in the final in Beijing (draw).
Presently, during this year the Italian achieved a 59-6 win-loss record. Sinner conquered 6 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati and U.S. Open. Jannik got to the final in Beijing.
Jannik Sinner will square off with the world no.93 Taro Daniel in the 2nd round. Their current head to head is 1-0 for Sinner.
Jannik has won 6 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati and U.S. Open. Jannik was the runner-up in Beijing (China Open).
Sinner won 17 titles in his career: 8 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 7 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Sinner will compete next in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 28th of October.