Jannik Sinner has faced significant physical and mental strain due to the investigation regarding his positive tests for a banned substance, according to his coach Darren Cahill.
The Italian tennis star tested positive twice in March for clostebol, a steroid that aids in muscle mass growth, but was exonerated of any wrongdoing or negligence by an independent tribunal last week. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined that Sinner was inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi.
Despite being notified of the doping allegations in early April, Sinner has triumphed in tournaments at Halle and Cincinnati and achieved his first career milestone as the world number one.
Cahill expressed that while casual observers might not notice significant changes in Sinner’s performance, devoted fans would see a noticeable shift in his demeanor, energy, and enthusiasm on the court. “He’s struggled and I think it’s worn him down physically and mentally,” Cahill stated, adding that Sinner suffered from tonsillitis, which led to his absence from the Olympics.
He praised Sinner’s professionalism, asserting that the young athlete would never intentionally engage in any wrongdoing and is currently facing an unfortunate situation.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has indicated that it will thoroughly review the tribunal’s decision before determining whether to appeal, following its standard procedure in such cases.
Some players have taken to social media to suggest that Sinner has received preferential treatment due to his ranking as world number one. Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, remarked that top players often receive more protection, remarking that “they’re going to keep certain things secret” to avoid press attention.
Sinner’s lawyer, Jamie Singer, dismissed claims of special treatment, arguing that the ITIA took the case seriously due to Sinner’s prominence in the sport. Singer emphasized that independent tribunals made the final decisions, which are crucial to the case, asserting that the scrutiny Sinner faces is a consequence of a mistake made by his physiotherapist. Singer noted that the entire ordeal has significantly affected Sinner’s character, making him more introverted.