Jannik Sinner optimistic about escaping doping ban after getting three clearances
Jannik Sinner's historic 2024 has been overshadowed by the doping scandal, especially in the second half of the season.
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Jannik Sinner (via X)
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has had a historic 2024 season. The Italian has won two Grand Slam titles, the ATP Finals, and three Masters 1000 tournaments, finishing the season at the top of the rankings.
However, the biggest setback of Sinner’s season has been the doping scandal. After his ATP Finals title win, the 23-year-old expressed hope that he could clear his name in the doping controversy.
We came out of it three times positively, and I am convinced that it will be the same for the fourth time. I have always tried to understand what I did wrong or what I could have done better. I spoke to my team, we said to do our best, because we cannot do more. My team pushed me a lot, there were days when I was not very well, nights when I did not sleep well, so it takes a combination between the player and the team. When I put my cap on, I do not think about what happens off the pitch.
Jannik Sinner said on Ubitennis
The scandal came to light in late August, just 24 hours after his Cincinnati Open victory. Before the US Open, Sinner faced heavy criticism from the media and both current and former tennis players. Despite the backlash, he received clearance and went on to win the title at Flushing Meadows.
However, the controversy resurfaced in late September when WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) reopened the case. The agency stated that they are determined to seek a suspension of at least 12 months for the World No. 1. The verdict on the case is still pending.
Jannik Sinner beats Roger Federer in an incredible ATP Finals record
Jannik Sinner broke a long-standing record set by Roger Federer at the ATP Finals. Federer won the 2010 title, losing just 35 games, but Sinner went even further by losing only 33 games this year. This achievement also surpassed Novak Djokovic’s 2015 run, where he lost 36 games, and Grigor Dimitrov’s 2017 win with 37 games dropped.
Sinner dominated the ATP Finals in Turin, winning all five matches without dropping a set. In the final, he defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4, delighting the home crowd. He became the first player since Ivan Lendl in 1986 to win the tournament so convincingly. For his efforts, Sinner earned a record-breaking prize money cheque of $4,881,500.
Despite this historic payout, Sinner’s biggest payday of the year came at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, where he won $7,500,000. Combining these two events, Sinner has earned $12,381,500 in just a few weeks. This total nearly matches Nick Kyrgios’s career earnings of $12,486,696, highlighting the scale of Sinner’s success.
However, Sinner’s year has not been without controversy. He faced criticism from Kyrgios for continuing to compete after failing two drug tests earlier in 2024. Despite the scrutiny, the Italian has enjoyed incredible success, adding over $24 million to his career earnings this year alone.
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Fahad Hamid
(624 Articles Published)