"I came back with hatred" - Amid Jannik Sinner's ordeal, Guillermo Coria reveals how his positive doping case "killed" him
Amid Jannik Sinner's ongoing doping controversy, former World No. 3 Guillermo Coria opened up about how his failed drug test 23 years ago "killed" him. The Argentine claimed he did not receive the same treatment as Sinner.
In 2001, Coria tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone and was initially suspended for two years. However, after proving that the supplement he had taken was contaminated, his ban was reduced to seven months. He later sued the supplement manufacturer for $10 million, but the case was settled out of court.
In Sinner's case, he tested positive twice for the drug Clostebol in March. His initial suspensions were overturned after successful appeals. A no-fault verdict was given to the Italian by the ITIA and an independent tribunal, but WADA has now appealed it, seeking a two-year ban on the World No. 1.
In an exclusive interview with CLAY, Coria claimed:
"I feel I didn’t get the same treatment as him [Jannik Sinner]."
Coria explained on Argentine television, years after his doping case, that the failed drug test killed his career.
"The positive doping killed me, I was in my prime, then I came back with hatred"
He further detailed the extreme measures he took to prove his innocence during his doping case including lie detector tests, genetic studies, and more.
"I spent my savings to bring a team of psychologists from Spain to treat me and show my personality, I also hired a lie detector in the United States, I had a genetic study that showed through my hair what you consumed, I showed how the drug entered my body, through a vitamin complex, which was not to take advantage, but when I arrived at the trial in Miami, my mind was already made up," he added.
Coria's ranking fell from No. 32 to No. 97 during his suspension but he quickly bounced back, ending 2002 at World No. 45. His peak followed as he won several clay titles and had memorable duels with Rafael Nadal in 2005. He also reached the 2004 French Open final but lost a dramatic five-setter to Gastón Gaudio.
"It was a difficult period for me and I gave it closure, because I didn’t have a good time," Coria told CLAY. "The only thing I ask is that the treatment be equal for everyone."
Currently, the 42-year-old serves as Argentina's Davis Cup captain.
Guillermo Coria's Argentina to take on Jannik Sinner's Italy in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals
Argentina and Italy have qualified for the 2024 Davis Cup Finals 8 and will face off in the quarterfinals on 21 November. Italy is the defending champion and Argentina last won the title in 2016.
Guillermo Coria will lead the Argentine team while Filippo Volandri will take charge of Italy. Sinner, who missed the Group Stage of the Davis Cup Finals in September, will eye a return in November and aim to replicate his heroics from last year, where he helped secure Italy's triumph.