Jannik Sinner recently suffered a huge setback with the World Anti-Doping Agency appealing his doping case, trying to get the ruling overturned.
The news that WADA was appealing Sinner's case was surprising, and it also surprised Sinner, who thought the matter was over. The Italian was cleared of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agencia (ITIA) and allowed to continue competing; however, WADA now wants to challenge that in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
They are seeking a 1—to 2-year suspension from the sport as punishment for Sinner because, according to them, he shouldn't have been cleared of everything despite being contaminated accidentally.
It was a development that very few saw coming, and Sinner himself was very surprised and disappointed by that course of action. He confirmed during his stay in Beijing that it was not a situation he wanted to find himself in, as it was very stressful to endure that the first time around.
Now, he has to wait a bit longer to see if he will be fully cleared, even though he will be hoping that the initial ruling will be confirmed.
He even admitted that he's had sleepless nights since the news broke out, and it's been somewhat tough to really focus on tennis ever since. Still, he booked the China Open final, in which he will face Carlos Alcaraz.
"First of all, it's not a situation where I like to be in, no? It's a very delicate and difficult and also different situation. But what I know is that I always try to remind myself that I haven't done anything wrong, which already just gives you a little bit head up. For sure I had sleepless nights during this time. Now again it's going to be not easy. It's reminding you that this could happen potentially."
The overbearing feeling for Sinner is that of disappointment because, to him, it's clear what happened. He got contaminated on accident and he proved his innocence, so to him, there doesn't seem to be any reason to pursue this course of action.
It's a tricky situation, though. As some analysts explained, it's simply what law is. WADA is appealing because that's simply how the law works. They have a right to appeal, and they did.
"Obviously disappointed that I am again in this situation. I just try to stay somehow focused on my work and trying to do everything possible I can to be ready for each match I play. But yeah, this is a very difficult moment for me and also for my team."
"So it's not only me, but it's also the team. I also keep the people close who I feel very good with, people who know me as a person. They know me, so yeah... But it's not easy, that's for sure."
Tennis will be a very good distraction for Sinner, especially coming up as he'll face Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 China Open final. That should occupy his thoughts for the time being.
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