Fans worldwide showed their appreciation of Jannik Sinner by voting in high numbers to ensure he received the ATP Fans' Favorite Award. Former world No. 8 John Isner admitted to being surprised by that.
Sinner's 2024 season was the biggest roller coaster of any ATP player. He enjoyed a breakthrough season that included winning his first Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open, establishing him as a worldwide star.
Consistent results at other tournaments, including securing a maiden WTA Finals title on home soil in Turin, led Sinner to finish 2024 as the world No. 1. He became the fastest man to guarantee that spot since Novak Djokovic in 2015.
However, the 23-year-old has also managed anxiety arising from his much-publicized doping case. Sinner was shocked to learn that he twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol at March's Indian Wells Open.
The Italian admitted to experiencing complete darkness after hearing the news. This began a stressful process that has yet to be concluded, and he must manage it for at least some time in 2025.
Sinner thought he might be able to put the incident behind him when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared him of wrongdoing, concluding he bore no fault for the accidental contamination from his physiotherapist.
Unfortunately for Sinner, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed Sinner's case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing that a ban of between one and two years would be appropriate.
WADA's chief recently confirmed that the organization did not dispute Sinner's explanation of accidental contamination but believes the world No. 1 bears more blame than the ITIA found.
Reactions to the news were polarized. Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov were among those who expressed anger. Kyrgios thinks Sinner should be banned for two years, while Shapovalov believes higher-ranked players get preferable treatment.
Others have defended Sinner. The Italian Davis Cup captain, Filippo Volandri, passionately argued that the country's best tennis player receiving a ban would be one of the biggest injustices in tennis history.
Despite harsh online criticism from some fans, Sinner's supporters rallied around him and proved their support for the two-time Grand Slam champion by voting for him to receive the ATP Fans' Favorite Award.
Speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast, which he hosts with Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock, Isner discussed why he was surprised to see Sinner win the award after a turbulent season off the court.
"I am a little bit surprised. Because you know he was, it wasn’t, of course, his personality, but his 2024 was a bit polarising because I know some stuff went with him and went on with that positive test that he was cleared of."
"So a lot of people were, you know, not fans of that – Nick Kyrgios being one of them. So I thought maybe that could’ve hurt him a little bit in this as far as fan favourite goes but it didn’t, and kudos to him."
Sinner will continue to manage anxiety until the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes a verdict on his case next year, but the continued support from many fans that the award demonstrates likely means a lot to him.