"I don't answer to anyone" - Andy Roddick furious about insinuation that he defended Jannik Sinner amid drugs controversy to win ATP's favor
Andy Roddick was furious after being judged for siding with Janik Sinner amid the doping controversy to win the ATP's favor. Sinner was recently proven innocent after he was accused of consuming a banned substance.
Sinner tested positive for consuming Clostebol, an anabolic steroid, in March 2023, and less than one-billionth of a gram was found in his sample. However, he was found not guilty by the ATP, as he claimed that it was unintentional and was contaminated by his physiotherapist, who used a spray that carried the substance.
Andy Roddick discussed the controversy revolving around Sinner on his podcast, 'Served', and faced backlash online for allegedly advocating for the player to secure contracts from ATP. A netizen tweeted on X:
"You are twerking to Sinner, hoping ATP and sponsors give you some contracts."
Roddick retaliated furiously to this statement and said that he owned his own media company and dictated his own content. He further clarified that he did not take any money from ATP and does not 'need their money.'
"I own my own media company. I don’t answer to anyone. I write my own shows, have a production team, and edit the shows in-house. Nobody dictates our content. You may not like it, and that’s fine. Haven’t taken a dime from ATP and don’t need their money. I’m about as anti-establishment as it gets in tennis media. Have done it all my way w my own team and zero input from outside."
He also spoke about not being paid by any broadcasters or any players and that he is completely responsible for producing, editing, and delivering the podcast.
"Also, have zero conflicts of interest, which isn’t something a lot of tennis media can say ….. I’m not paid by any player, federations, tours, etc. I don’t take a salary from any broadcasters. I have a per diem at TC and can work/not work when asked by them, and am thankful for the relationship. We produce, edit, and deliver our pod show to them for a fee per episode and have total creative control."
Jannik Sinner opened up about the doping agency
Reflecting on the doping controversy, Janik Sinner opened up about how this period has been "challenging" and "unfortunate" for him. He also said that he would try to put this incident behind him.
"I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” Jannik Sinner said. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping program, and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance."
Amid this controversy, Jannik Sinner claimed the title of Cincinnati Open 2024 by defeating Frances Tiafoe with a 7(7)-6, 6(4)-2 scoreboard.