Jannik Sinner made some interesting comments in his first press conference since the news of his two positive tests for a banned substance was broken.
Sinner avoided a ban after testing positive for clostebol on two occasions at the Indian Wells Open. But he did lose his prize money and ranking points from the event, reducing his lead as the world No. 1.
Some players and analysts were enraged that the case was kept private for five months. Former Wimbledon semifinalist Denis Shapovalov accused the International Tennis Integrity Agency(ITIA) of acting differently depending on the player's status.
Mats Wilander was another person who criticized the case's handling. While the seven-time Grand Slam champion believed Sinner had no intention of doping, he thinks the ITIA may have prevented the case from going public for so long because he is the world number one.
Others defended Sinner and the ITIA. Mark Petchey said the rules were followed in the case. Andy Roddick, after dismissing the notion that Sinner doped at this year's Australian Open, also said no preferential treatment was given to the Italian.
The polarized reaction meant fans eagerly awaited the 23-year-old's first press conference since the incident. He gave a composed performance in front of the media and made some fascinating remarks.
Sinner said he had not done anything wrong, and he felt the facts of the case proved this. The Australian Open champion also admitted it was not ideal for the story to come out the week before the US Open.
At the press conference, he was asked about his reputation going forward after the positive tests. Sinner responded by insisting he was a fair player and that anyone who knows him is aware that he would never try to break the rules.
"Yeah, that's a good question. For me, I always believe that I kept playing tennis because in my mind I knew that I haven't done anything wrong. I knew that I was very clean, and I knew that I was always very looking forward to be a fair player."
"Obviously it's coming out this notification, it might change a couple of things, but whoever knows me very well knows that I haven't done and I would never do something what goes against the rules."
The Italian then admitted the saga showed him who his real friends in the tennis world are. He also stated it had been a stressful few months for him and his team and that the investigation is still fresh in his mind.
"Obviously it has been a very tough moment for me and my team. It still is, because it's quite, you know, fresh, this everything. Yeah, I mean, let's see. Here I also know who is my friend and who is not my friend, no, because my friends, they know that I would never do that, and sticking together.
Sinner ended by acknowledging he was unsure how his reputation would be affected and that he could not control how fans and players would view him in the future.
"About the reputation, we will see now, now moving forward, no? Because this, I can't really control. So let's see."
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