Jannik Sinner makes vulnerable admission about "losing his smile" despite continued on-court success with Shanghai win amid doping tests ordeal
Jannik Sinner recently opened up about facing problems due to the ongoing doping tests ordeal, despite attaining a win at the Shanghai Masters. The World No.1 dominated the Shanghai Masters tournament by defeating the Serbian athlete, Novak Djokivic, in the finals on October 13 by a score line of 7(7) - 6-3.
The Italian player gained this win amidst his doping controversy, which started on August 20, when it was revealed that he tested positive for Clostebol, a banned substance.
Initially, the ITIA made an analysis and stated that his former physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, used a spray to treat a cut on his finger that carried the substance. Thus, unintentionally exposing the player to the drug. He was then spared a ban and was given minor ranking and prize-money penalties. However, WADA has now appealed to put a two-year ban on Sinner.
Amidst this controversy, Sinner won the Shanghai Masters, yet expressed disappointment in the press conference. He admitted that it has been a tough year for him with the ongoing problems off-court. He made a vulnerable confession of losing his "smile" because of the adversities.
"Well, I know this year has been very, very tough for me because of other circumstances, and, you know, at points I lost a little bit of smile because I had some issues off the court, and then they're still in my mind sometimes,"
Sinner added that it has not been easy for him to play in such situations; however, he still tries his best to stay calm.
"You know, people, they think that, you know, by winning or having success that you don't have any problems, but it's not true, you know, because I'm, the situation where I'm in, obviously, it's not comfortable, and I wish I would not be in this position where I am right now off the court, and playing freely more on the court, and trying even to enjoy it a little bit more. But, you know, you have to accept it," he said.
"Of course, I have moments where I think about it, which is not the best part. So, yeah, you take the success in a different way. And I think that's what I learned is that the success will never change me as a person, or as a player because next tournament I can go far again, or I could lose the first round, but it's not going to change me as a person, as a human," Jannik Sinner continued.
Jannik Sinner opened up about his situation after WADA's appeal of the doping verdict
WADA announced that they have appealed the decision made by ITIA and are looking for a two-year ban on Jannik Sinner, while the Italian was competing in the China Open. In this press conference, when his last opponent, Carlos Alcaraz, was asked about his opinions on Sinner's case, he said it to be a negative thing for tennis.
Following this, when the World No. 1 was made aware of the statement in a press conference after the China Open, he claimed the situation to be very "delicate."
"First of all, it's not a situation where I like to be in, no? It's a very delicate and difficult and also different situation," Jannik Sinner said. "But what I know is that I always try to remind myself that I haven't done anything wrong, which already just gives you a little bit head up. For sure I had sleepless nights during this time. Now again it's going to be not easy."
Amid this doping test ordeal, Jannik Sinner has delivered exceptional performances in the US Open, the China Open, and the Shanghai Masters. He won the title in both the US Open and the Shanghai Masters, however, reached the finals in the China Open and faced defeat against Alcaraz with a scoreline of 6(6) - 7(8), 6-4, 7(7) - 6(3).