Jannik Sinner still tormented by controversial doping saga despite US Open title win
Jannik Sinner has said that he is yet to move on from the doping controversy surrounding him. His acknowledgment came after his title triumph at the 2024 US Open, where he defeated home favorite Taylor Fritz in the final to win his second Grand Slam title.
Controversy erupted in the buildup to the US Open after it was disclosed that Sinner had twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March this year. The Italian had received a provisional suspension, but after his team provided evidence to prove that his exposure to the banned substance was accidental, the suspension was lifted.
Later, an independent tribunal investigated the case and concluded that Sinner's contamination did not stem from any fault of the Italian. However, the ranking points and prize money he had earned from his run to the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) in March were docked.
There was a backlash, with suggestions that Jannik Sinner received preferential treatment.
Despite the controversy, the Italian did not let it affect his performances at Flushing Meadows. Sinner dropped only two sets across the seven matches he played at the 2024 US Open, and was devastating in the final against Taylor Fritz, storming to a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win.
At a post-match press conference, Sinner was asked how he had dealt with the criticism that came his way after the news of his positive clostebol tests was made public. The World No. 1 revealed that the people close to him were key to keeping his spirits up.
"What allowed me to do that [winning US Open amid doping disclosure and criticism] was the people who were close to me daily, people who know me already when I was very young, and also my family and my team and everyone who supports me daily. You know I always try to stick together with them, especially when moments are getting difficult and tough, because I know they can help me in these moments," Jannik Sinner said [at 02:08].
"It was and it still is a little bit in my mind. It's not that it's gone. When I'm on court, I try to focus about the game. I try to handle the situation in the best possible way, communicate with the team on the practice courts."
"Obviously, it was difficult for me to enjoy in certain moments, also how I behaved or how I walked on the court in certain tournaments before. It was not the same as I used to be. Whoever knows me, they knew something was wrong," he added.
Former ATP World No. 13 Nick Kyrgios, one of the Italian's critics over the doping controversy, swiped at Sinner over his 2024 US Open title triumph.
"We are witnessing greatness" - Nick Kyrgios' sarcastic jibe at Jannik Sinner's US Open 2024 success
After Jannik Sinner's comprehensive win over Taylor Fritz in the 2024 US Open men's singles final, the hardcourt Major's official X (formerly Twitter) page shared a post celebrating the Italian's success, captioned:
"'SINNER SINNER US OPEN WINNER!!'"
Piers Morgan reposted it and added a caption of his own, writing:
"*After failing TWO drugs tests. (Fixed it for you)"
Nick Kyrgios weighed in with a remark at Sinner's Flushing Meadows feat.
"First time in history! We are witnessing greatness!"
Kyrgios had earlier urged the authorities to ban Sinner for two years due to his two positive tests for the banned substance clostebol. The Australian has also come under fire recently for allegedly taking a swipe at Jannik Sinner's girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya, who was briefly in a relationship with Kyrgios in 2020. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist later deleted the post.