It has been quite an eventful year for Jannik Sinner so far. He has experienced both peaks and troughs this season, something which doesn’t happen often. While he started the year with a bang by winning the Australian Open title, Sinner struggled on clay and grass. Additionally, he got engulfed in a doping controversy that threatened to take away the shine from his 2024 season. However, Sinner came back with a bang and proved his critics wrong by winning the US Open title. While the Italian star would look to celebrate his maiden title in New York, it looks like he would have to wait for a bit longer.
Jannik Sinner was cleared to play in the US Open after providing a satisfactory explanation about how he came in contact with the banned substance. Sinner’s sample from Indian Wells tested positive for Clostebol, which he came in contact with through a spray applied by his physio. While the case seemed to be closed, there have been reports that an investigation is still underway.
As reported by the Italian publication Corriere della Sera, “The case is not closed. From Montreal, the headquarters of the Agency, Wada has announced that it considers “the case still open and the investigation ongoing” based on a paragraph of Article 13.2 of the Anti-Doping Code (13.2.3.5, reserved for the Agency alone and not for example Nado Italia) that allows it to start the 21-day deadline for appeal from the moment it receives additional documentation on the case specifically requested from Itia, the independent agency that judges doping cases in tennis.”
As a result, WADA has asked the authorities for additional information and isn’t satisfied with the report submitted earlier. Thus, Sinner will have to hold off his celebrations until further clarification in his case comes out.
Dietrofront del @Corriere, che aggiorna il pezzo di questa mattina scrivendo:
“Il caso non è chiuso. Da Montreal, sede dell’Agenzia, la Wada fa sapere di considerare «il caso ancora aperto e l’indagine in corso» in base a un comma dell’articolo 13.2 del Codice Antidoping (il… https://t.co/wtVjQR8C8q
— Giovanni Pelazzo (@giovannipelazzo) September 10, 2024
Although the doping case threatened to cast a dark cloud over Sinner’s season, he emerged triumphant. The Italian star was proud of the fact that he handled this controversy in the best way possible.
The World Number 1 was fortunate to escape the controversy without any rigorous consequences. Sinner was let off with just the points and prize money deduction from the Indian Wells Masters, where his sample tested positive. Despite this, the episode was still playing in Sinner’s mind during his US Open journey.
Talking about this, he said, “I’m happy how I handled this one. I’m just excited to have this trophy with me. It was and it’s still a little bit in my mind. It’s not that it’s gone, but when I’m on court, I try to focus about the game, I try to handle the situation the best possible way.”
While Sinner will await further clarification in his doping case, he can be proud of the fact that he went on to lift the US Open title under difficult circumstances. With no time to rest in the enduring tennis season, Sinner will hope to continue his winning run in the upcoming tournaments.
