Tennis: Jannik Sinner reveals impact of doping scandal

Jannik Sinner has opened up on the impact of his failed drug tests in 2024, with the world No.1 saying he lost sleep and felt “fearful” in the aftermath.

The Italian tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March but was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

While he was provisionally suspended twice in April, news of the failed tests was not made public until August 20.

“It was a tough time,” Sinner said in a recent interview with Esquire Australia.

“I couldn’t talk to anyone about it. I couldn’t vent or get help.”

Sinner had a career-best season on the ATP Tour, becoming the first-ever player to win the Australian Open, US Open, ATP Finals and Davis Cup in the same season.

He finished the year with a 73-6 record and eight titles; however, of those six losses, two came in the midst of the failed tests, while another two were just before the news was made public.

“All the people who knew me and watched me play understood that there was something wrong with me,” Sinner said.

“I had sleepless nights, because even if you are certain of your innocence, you know that these things are complex.

“Everyone immediately told the truth and that allowed me to play.

“But at Wimbledon, I was white. And even afterwards, my feeling with people was fearful.

“I went into training at the Cincinnati clubhouse and thought, ‘How are they looking at me? What do they really think of me?’

“I realised who my real friends are.”

While the ITIA has ruled Sinner to be innocent, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision.

Should WADA’s appeal be successful, Sinner will face a ban of between six months and two years, putting his participation at the French Open and Wimbledon — where tennis bookmakers have him on the second line of betting — in jeopardy.

Any ban would come into place after the 2025 Australian Open, however, which Sinner is favourite to win.

Bovada has the 23-year-old at +175 to defend his title in Melbourne, ahead of Carlos Alcaraz (+240) and Novak Djokovic (+300).

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