Jannik Sinner Still Haunted by Failed Anti-doping Test Controversy Despite winning US OPEN

Jannik Sinner has openly addressed the lingering impact of his failed anti-doping tests following his US Open triumph, admitting the controversy still weighs on his mind. Despite the challenges, the world No. 1 expressed pride in how he managed to stay focused and overcome the difficult situation during his run to victory.

Sinner captured his maiden US Open title by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in the final, securing his second Grand Slam crown after winning the Australian Open earlier in the year. The 23-year-old Italian star dominated the first two sets before mounting a comeback from 3-5 down in the third to close out the match in straight sets. This win further solidified Sinner’s lead in the ATP rankings, where he now holds a commanding 4,000-point advantage.

The victory capped off what has been an extraordinary year for Sinner, who has claimed six titles and remains undefeated in finals throughout 2024. However, the road to his US Open triumph was not without obstacles. In a press conference after his win, Sinner spoke candidly about the difficulty of competing after news of his failed anti-doping tests became public shortly before the tournament.

“I’m happy with how I handled this one,” Sinner said. “Having this trophy means a lot to me. It’s still something I think about, though. It hasn’t completely left my mind. But on the court, I try to stay focused on the game and manage the situation as best I can. It was tough at times to really enjoy the moment.”

Sinner reflected on how the controversy affected his demeanor in previous tournaments. “People who know me well could see something was off,” he explained. “I wasn’t myself for a while, but during this tournament, I slowly started feeling more like who I am.”

He acknowledged that staying mentally focused was a challenge but credited his resilience for getting through the ordeal. “It wasn’t easy, but I stayed committed, and I’m proud of how I’ve handled every point I’ve played.”

Sinner also spoke about the response from his fellow players after the news broke. “Most players were supportive, even when everything came out,” he said. “Of course, there were some different reactions, but that’s to be expected in tennis and in life. You can’t control everything.”

He emphasized the importance of his support team throughout the ordeal, adding, “I have people around me who know the full story and who understand what we went through, not just me but my entire team. From our perspective, we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved.”

The controversy surrounding Sinner’s doping tests arose when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that he had tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, during two separate tests in March 2024. The positive tests occurred on March 10 and March 18, during and after the Indian Wells Masters.

Sinner was provisionally suspended following both tests but was cleared to continue playing after successfully appealing to an independent tribunal. The ITIA ruled that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence,” accepting his explanation that the clostebol had entered his system through contamination. According to Sinner, the substance was unintentionally transferred to him by a member of his support team who had been using an over-the-counter spray containing the steroid to treat a minor wound.

Despite the controversy, Sinner has remained focused on his tennis and is proud of how he has handled the situation. “At the end of the day, it’s about how you manage the adversity, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved this year despite everything,” he concluded.