“I consider him innocent,” Casper Ruud vouches for Jannik Sinner after doping controversy
Jannik Sinner's three-month suspension will end on May 4 and he will be eligible to play at the Italian Open, which begins three days later.
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Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud (Images via ATP/X)
Jannik Sinner has been away from tour serving a three-month suspension after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on his doping case. The Italian is set to return to the court next. However, his fellow top 10 player Casper Ruud revealed that he considers him innocent despite the doping saga.
Sinner was found not guilty of fault or negligence after twice testing positive for clostebol last year. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that the Italian defended that the banned substance inadvertently entered his system because of his ex-physio.
However, WADA was not pleased with the ruling and appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), demanding a one or two-year ban. But in February, the agency reached an agreement with Sinner’s lawyers and settled for just three months suspension. Despite many current and former players criticizing the move, Ruud has always supported the Italian.
At the Monte Carlo Press conference, he was asked by reporters how he felt about the imminent comeback of Sinner in less than a month. The Norwegian star revealed that he had always considered the World No.1 innocent despite the doping settlement.
I always considered him innocent. It’s extremely unfortunate in terms of how the substance got into his system. It’s difficult to be suspended for three months when you’re innocent. I’ve never seen Jannik as someone who would intentionally cheat. We’re extremely vulnerable because we’re exposed to many different people and places, a myriad of different foods and countries.
Casper Ruud said via Monte Carlo Press
Sinner is set to make his official return to the tour at the Italian Open, which begins on May 7, just three days after his suspension ends. The Italian will be looking forward to a great welcome by the home crowd in Rome.
Casper Ruud looking forward to seeing Sinner on the court in Rome
Jannik Sinner has already missed two Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells and Miami Open. He’s set to miss another two only on clay in Monte Carlo and Madrid Open. He will be available for the Italian Open.
There are still two Masters 1000s without him. Let’s see who wins them. And then, when he comes back, there will be opportunities for everyone anyway. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the court soon. I hope he’ll be warmly welcomed (in Rome). I’m sure the Italian fans will be very affectionate towards him. I’m waiting for him on the court in Rome.
Casper Ruud said
Sinner doesn’t have an incredible record on clay. The Italian last won a clay title in 2022 at the Croatian Open. At his peak last year, he didn’t reach a clay tournament final.
Casper Ruud crashes out of the Monte Carlo Masters
Casper Ruud failed to advance to the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo after losing to Alexei Popyrin in three sets. The Norwegian had always enjoyed his best success of the season on the surface but was stunned by the Canadian. The No.4 seed lost the first set 4-6 after failing to capitalize on his chances.
But he responded in the second set, winning 6-3, and looked ready for the deciding set. In the third set, he was never behind and even had two match points at 5-6 on the serve but couldn’t take them, allowing Popyrin to four consecutive match points and claim the 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory at the Monte Carlo.
Ruud loss means he will not defend his points at the ATP 1000 tournament. He finished as runners-up last year after losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas. He will hope to bounce back in Barcelona as defending champion.
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