Jannik Sinner has received strong backing from the Italian Davis Cup captain, Filippo Volandri, who believes the ATP world No. 1 does not deserve a suspension in his high-profile doping case.
Sinner had already enjoyed an incredible season before the Davis Cup Finals. He managed several insane achievements during a year that included winning the Australian Open, US Open, and ATP Finals.
Those significant feats and other titles at Masters 1000 and 500 levels allowed him to guarantee the year-end world No. 1 ranking faster than any player since Novak Djokovic's dominant 2015 season.
Sinner might have felt slightly tired ahead of the Davis Cup Finals after a lengthy and grueling season, but that did not stop the 23-year-old from playing more sublime tennis at the event in Malaga.
After Team Italy fell 0-1 down to Argentina in the quarterfinal, Sinner hammered Sebastian Baez in the singles before teaming up with Matteo Berrettini in the doubles to seal a 2-1 victory and a place in the semifinals.
Sinner only needed a singles win against Australia's Alex de Minaur after Berrettini defeated Kokkinakis in a dramatic three-set battle. In the final, Berrettini also won his singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp.
With several Italian fans packed into the stadium in Malaga, Sinner confirmed back-to-back Davis Cup titles for the country and a perfect end to his season by overcoming Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets.
Although he might deserve a rest after a highly successful season, the two-time Grand Slam champion might find it hard to relax because of the ongoing doping case that continues to hang over him.
Sinner twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol at March's Indian Wells Open. His physiotherapist at the time used a spray for a cut finger, not knowing it contained a negligible amount of the prohibited substance, and then gave Sinner massages without gloves.
That allowed a billionth of a gram of clostebol to enter Sinner's system. After a private five-month investigation, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared him of any wrongdoing.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the ITIA's verdict and argues that a ban of between one and two years would be appropriate. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a decision in early 2025.
It is an anxious time for Sinner, but he received unequivocal backing from Italian captain Volandri. In an interview with QS Sport, Volandri said suspending Sinner would be the biggest injustice in tennis history.
"I don’t even want to think about a possible disqualification of Sinner, given his honesty and the irrefutable evidence he has provided. But if there is a person with broad shoulders it is Jannik. A disqualification would be the greatest injustice in history."
Sinner's coaches, Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, are other figures who have supported him. A few weeks ago, the world No. 1 spoke about Cahill and his father helping him feel protected when he was told about the positive tests.
Hopefully, the Court of Arbitration for Sport will reach a verdict as soon as possible to clarify the situation for Sinner and tennis fans worldwide.
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