Everything Jannik Sinner has said about his doping controversy: How it affected his mental health, firing the physio responsible & more
Shortly after his Cincinnati Masters win, Jannik Sinner announced he had previously tested positive for a banned substance. The Italian was, however, found not at fault by the ITIA and avoided a mandatory two-year ban. Now the 23-year-old is set to feature at the US Open as the top seed, hoping to win his second Grand Slam of the year.
As was to be expected, the doping controversy dominated Jannik Sinner's pre-US Open press conference. The Italian was asked about his thought process throughout the situation, his take on the controversy, and his mental health after the incident.
Talking about the whole process, Sinner admitted that he was glad it came out in the open and the result was in his favor. The Italian added that the process got complicated with the lawyers involved, but he is happy it is in the past now.
"Yeah, look, it was a long process. It started with obviously this mistake what they made. In the beginning was a different view, but then after, you know, it was a little bit more complicated. I went through, like, me and my team and the lawyers, I'm just a simple tennis player, no? That's what I love to do. So as I said, you know, it's finally out, so it is what it is, yeah." Sinner said.
Jannik Sinner further explained the whole situation in detail by claiming that he and his team were supportive towards the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) during the process. The 23-year-old said that he immediately explained everything to WADA and ITIA and co-operated with the case, which enabled him to compete during the trial.
"When they informed us that I was tested positive, the first thing we were trying to figure out, what substance it was. Umberto knew it straightaway that it was his spray. And knowing because of that was the spray and knowing also how it all ended up into my system, we went straight back to them, and we explained everything how it happened, and that was the reason why I had the chance to keep playing," Sinner added.
Jannik Sinner parts ways with his long-term trainers Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi
Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for the banned substance Clostebol in March. The Italian was, however, not handed a ban after it was revealed that the substance entered his body through his trainer Giacomo Naldi. Naldi used a spray for a cut on his own fingers, before giving Sinner a massage without his gloves on. The spray was given to Naldi by Umberto Ferrara.
Sinner has now announced that he has parted ways with the duo and is looking for a fresh start. The Italian thanked his former trainers for their help during his career, but admitted that he was not 'confident' enough to continue with them.
"I want to start with that they have been a huge part for my career. We worked together for two years. Now, because of these mistakes, I'm not feeling that confident to continue with them. The only thing I just need right now, just some clean air. You know, I was struggling a lot in the last months," Sinner said.
Sinner also admitted that he was concerned about his future throughout the whole process. The Italian hoped that this was the last time he had to undergo such a situation and added that he tries to be a fair player on and off the court.
"Of course I was worried, because it was the first time for me, you know, and hopefully the last time that I am in this situation, position. So I was worried, of course, because I'm always the player who was working very, very carefully in this. I believe I'm a fair player on and off the court. And yeah, that's a bit how it all was and how it went," Sinner concluded.
Jannik Sinner will be keen to impress at the US Open and will start as one of the favorites for the title. He will face Mackenzie McDonald in the first round at Flushing Meadows.