Jannik Sinner says he is ‘not comfortable’ with the ongoing appeal against his doping case but remains confident that he will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
The world No.1 heads into the final part of the season with a cloud over his head after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the ruling made in his doping case earlier this year. Sinner twice tested positive for the steroid clostebol but an independent tribunal ruled that he had no fault or negligence following an investigation. It was accepted that the Italian was accidentally contaminated after being treated by a former physio who was using a spray on his hand that contained the banned substance.
However, WADA perceives the ITIA’s finding of no fault or negligence as ‘not correct under the applicable rules.’ They are seeking a ban of up to two years for the tennis player on the viewpoint that he had some responsibility in ensuring that his team wasn’t using prohibited substances. There is currently no suggestion that the WADA suspects Sinner of deliberately using prohibited substances. However, the details of the appeal are private.
Amid the ongoing battle that could continue into next year, Sinner has continued playing on the Tour and recently reached the China Open final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in a three-set thriller.
“The appeal, I’m a bit surprised but in another way, I knew that potentially that this could happen,” Sinner said on Friday at the Shanghai Masters.
“It happened, I’m still surprised, but I will collaborate like I did before. I had three hearings, which went all my way. It was good, but now let’s see.
“I’m very confident that it (WADA’s appeal against him) will come out very positively. I would be very, very surprised if it would be the opposite side.
“It’s not a situation where I feel comfortable in, that’s for sure because I thought it was over, so it’s not easy.”
As for the court, Sinner could become the first player since Rafael Nadal in 2018 to win three Masters 1000 titles within the same season if he triumphs in Shanghai. So far this year, he has registered 59 wins on the Tour and won six ATP events, including two Grand Slams.
“I’m very happy to be back here (in Shanghai), it’s a very nice tournament, a very special tournament.” He said.
“I had my first practice session just now, I just finished, so I feel good, I feel recovered, so, yeah, it’s all good.”
Sinner has a bye in the first round and will play Japan’s Taro Daniel on Saturday. Daniel defeated qualifier Egor Gerasimov 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, in his opening match.
