Jannik Sinner admits failed doping tests are ‘not gone’ from his mind after US Open victory
Jannik Sinner has detailed the continuous toll that the failed anti-doping tests have had on him, after becoming the first male Italian singles player in history to win the US Open title.
Sinner extended his winning streak to 11 matches after beating home favourite Taylor Fritz in the US Open final, 6-3 6-4 7-5.
As a result, Sinner has gone unbeaten at hard court Grand Slams in 2024 after also winning his first major title at the Australian Open back in January.
However, it has not all been plain-sailing for the World No.1, after it was revealed just three weeks ago that he had failed two anti-doping tests after Indian Wells in March.
The Italian was found to have had a billionth of a gram of the prohibited substance clostebol in his system in two separate tests that were just eight days apart, but was cleared of any wrongdoing on the grounds of contamination.
After winning his second Grand Slam title, Sinner noted that it has not been an easy few weeks,Ā āAmazing feeling. We are all very proud of this achievement. Iām just excited to have this trophy with me. Here was difficult because also the pre-tournament circumstances werenāt easy. Iām happy how I handled this one.ā
2 – Jannik Sinner is second youngest player to win the Australian and US Open Menās Singles titles during the same season in the Open Era, older only than Jimmy Connors in 1974. Meticulous. #USOpen | @usopen @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/Oe9Cu3N8rB
ā OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 8, 2024
Despite seemingly dealing with any backlash and going onto win the US Open title, Sinner revealed in his post-match press conference that the saga is still present in his mind.
āIt was and itās still a little bit in my mind,ā admitted Sinner before continuing. āItās not that itās gone, but when Iām on court, I try to focus about the game, I try to handle the situation the best possible way, communication with the team, in practice courts. You know, at the end of the day we always try to improve as a player. Thatās why we practice for.
āSo yeah, it was not easy, thatās for sure, but in the other way I tried to stay focused, which I guess Iāve done a great job mentally staying there every point I play, and thatās it.ā
Sinner has now extended his lead at the top of the ATP rankings to a considerable 4,105 points, after both his main rivals Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz faltered.
The 23-year-old has now elected to skip representing Italy in the Davis Cup this week, and will return to action as the defending champion in Beijing later this month.
Thank you New York!! š
Incredibly special to win my second slam title here after a great two weeks. Thank you for all the support, it means so much. I love this sport and it means everything to me, time to enjoy this moment with my team and my family before we get back to workā¦ pic.twitter.com/oolNYXWWrk
ā Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) September 8, 2024
Inside the baseline…
It was a hugely convincing final victory from Jannik Sinner, who really has looked like the best player in the world since Cincinnati. Not only has Jannik Sinner had to deal with the controversy surrounding his two failed anti-doping tests, but also the pressure of being the clear favourite for the title after both Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz suffered early upsets. There is understandably some uncomfortableness about the way that the failed doping tests was handled in comparison to other cases, but Sinner has taken it all in his stride in the eye of the storm.
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