“There are no shortcuts,” Jannik Sinner drops bombshell on ‘preferential treatment’ claims amid doping scandal
Jannik Sinner was deducted 400 points and had his prize money taken away from him for the Indian Wells performance this year.
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Top seed Jannik Sinner has been making headlines in the tennis world for all the wrong reasons. Recently, news broke across media outlets that the World No. 1 had tested positive twice for a banned substance, but the ATP refused to ban him.
Many former and current tennis players have criticized the ATP tour for giving Sinner preferential treatment. However, the Italian clarified all these claims during his pre-tournament press conference at the US Open.
Those who test positive go through the same process. There are no shortcuts or different treatment. Why I kept playing? I explained just now and that's all I have to say. I know sometimes the frustration of other players obviously. But maybe because they got suspended they didn't know exactly where it comes from. Also what substance. But the main reason is where it comes from and how it entered into his own system.Jannik Sinner said in the pre-tournament press conference
Sinner will be hoping to land his second Grand Slam title at the US Open. However, the stories surrounding him are focused more on his doping scandal than his tennis performances.
We knew it straight away and were aware of what happened. I was suspended for two, three days. I couldn't practice and everything. But they accepted it very, very fast and that's why.Jannik Sinner added
As the criticism intensified towards Sinner’s camp, the Italian decided to part ways with his physio and fitness coach before the US Open. Sinner’s physio, Giacomo Naldi, had also been involved in a similar controversy during his time with the Italian basketball team.
Jannik Sinner’s health complications in 2024
Jannik Sinner has enjoyed his best season in 2024, winning his first Grand Slam title and collecting two Masters 1000 titles. The 23-year-old has secured five ATP titles overall this season, making him the first man from his country to be ranked World No. 1.
However, there have also been complications regarding Sinner’s fitness. It all started in Monte Carlo when the Italian suffered a hip injury. The fitness concerns intensified when he had to withdraw from the Madrid Open quarterfinal.
Sinner barely managed to play Roland Garros, where he performed well, reaching his first semi-final before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in an entertaining five-set match. The Italian appeared to be back in high spirits after claiming the Halle Open shortly afterwards.
However, problems intensified when he suffered from a virus during his Wimbledon quarterfinal against Daniil Medvedev. Consequently, the World No. 1 withdrew from the Paris Olympics. Although Sinner returned for the US Open series, he once again experienced problems with his hip at the Canadian Open, an injury that had first appeared in Monte Carlo earlier this year.
In case you missed it!
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Fahad Hamid
(679 Articles Published)