“I have done nothing wrong”: Sinner hits back in anti-doping proceedings | Jannik Sinner

AAs the countdown to the final Grand Slam tournament of the year has entered its final days, news of Jannik Sinner's anti-doping case has dominated the tennis discourse. The topic has dominated discussions throughout the US Open tournament grounds and was the talk of the day at the various pre-tournament events across New York City.

On Friday, Sinner spoke publicly for the first time since an independent court found that he was neither guilty nor negligent for two positive doping tests for the banned substance clostebol. In his press conference, Sinner described the verdict as a relief.

“In my head, I know I did nothing wrong,” said Sinner. “I've had to play with this idea in my head for months, but [reminding] I can be sure that I have done nothing wrong. I always respect these rules and will always respect these anti-doping rules. Of course I am relieved to have this result.”

The press conference began with a strange scenario. After a question about the doping case, the moderator Gary Sussman, hired by the USTA, tried to block further questions on the subject. Sinner, however, seemed happy to talk about it. He answered all questions in detail and was fully engaged with his questioners.

After Sinner's doping announcement, there was criticism from some players who felt that top players were being given preferential treatment. Sinner, the world number 1, stressed that he had not received any preferential treatment: “Every player who tests positive has to go through the same process,” he said. “There is no shortcut, there is no different treatment, they all go through the same process.”

Sinner also argued that his provisional suspensions were lifted and he was allowed to play because he and his team had identified the substance they believed had caused the contamination so quickly: “We knew immediately and were aware of what had happened. We went straight there and I was suspended for two or three days.”

“I couldn't train and everything. But they accepted it very, very quickly, and that's why.”

When asked how he thinks these events will affect his reputation, Sinner said he is not sure, but he learned this week who his friends are: “It was a very hard moment for me and my team. It still is, because this is all still very fresh. Let's see. Here I also know who is my friend and who is not, right? Because my friends know that I would never do that, and [we are] stick together. As far as reputation goes, we'll see how it goes, right? Because I can't really control that. So we'll see.”

When some players joined the discussion, Dan Evans, the former British number 1, said he believed Sinner was lucky to be able to resolve the case so quickly: “I like Jannik. It's not his fault. He brought his case and it was accepted. There were other players who waited. I think he was lucky how quickly the case was brought. That's a fact. It's hard to understand how someone like Tara Moore or [Simona] Halep couldn't get an appointment and then this happens within three months, an emergency.”

Evans was banned for a year after testing positive for the recreational drug cocaine in April 2017. Instead of focusing on Sinner, he had scathing words for the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and its handling of doping cases.

“I think they're a ragtag organization and they do pretty amateurish things, but they wear nice T-shirts and hang out with the players,” he said. “It's frustrating for other players, that's the main thing. I don't think they do much good for the sport, to be completely honest. They get the guys who are ranked 800th in the world for drugs and gambling, but they don't… I think there's a bigger problem.”

Others were less forthright. The results of Sinner's doping case were announced just one day after Sinner's victory over Frances Tiafoe in the final of the Cincinnati Open. Although Tiafoe is known for speaking his mind without hesitation, the American chose not to express an opinion on the matter.

“He's obviously an incredible player and the governing authorities made a decision, they implemented it,” he said. “He's allowed to play. That's basically all I have to say about it. I wish him the best for the US Open and I'm just looking forward to doing my thing at the Open.”

Due to recent events, Sinner had to make important decisions. He has now parted ways with his fitness coach Umberto Ferrara and his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi.

His case depended on his ability to successfully explain that Ferrara had purchased the over-the-counter spray “Trofodermin”, which contained clostebol, and he offered it to Naldi, who continually treated a cut on Sinner's finger with the spray before massaging it daily, thereby contaminating it.

The couple remained on Sinner's team for several months after Sinner received news of the positive test.

Naldi was last seen on Sinner's team in June during his title run at the Halle Open, and Ferrara was part of Sinner's travel team until Wimbledon.

“We did an incredible job, had a lot of success and then had a great team behind us,” Sinner said. “Now, because of these mistakes, I don't feel so safe continuing with this. The only thing I need now is clean air.”

After his first appearance on Thursday at this year's US Open, Sinner returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday for a training session with fellow countryman Lorenzo Musetti and was once again warmly welcomed by a large crowd shortly before the start of the tournament.

Sinner will open his tournament on Tuesday against a domestic favorite, Mackenzie McDonald. Despite establishing himself at the top of the tour, the Italian has received less attention than the two players directly below him due to his reserved nature and more introverted personality off the court. This time, all eyes are on him.