Sinner Makes Feelings Known About Doping Critics Who Don't 'Really Know' Him

Saturday, 23 November 2024 at 23:40

byJordan Reynolds

Jannik Sinner's 2024 season was the most emotional of any ATP player, and he shared some thoughts about it in a letter to himself.

Sinner has been the breakthrough player of 2024. Although he had been near the top for a while, he began the season having never reached a Grand Slam final, and questions remained about whether he could win on the most significant stages.

The Italian answered those questions emphatically at the Australian Open. After beating the 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinal, he recovered from two sets behind to overcome Daniil Medvedev and win his maiden Grand Slam title.

Further titles at the Miami Open and Rotterdam Open and reaching at least the quarterfinals of every other tournament saw him become the new world No. 1, overtaking Djokovic after the French Open.

However, a shocking story about Sinner became public a few days before the US Open. It was revealed he had twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol during March's Indian Wells Open.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner after a private five-month investigation. He did not receive a provisional suspension because his team quickly found the source of the contamination.

But Sinner's saga did not end there. The World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the ITIA's ruling and wants him banned for one to two years. A ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport is not expected until early 2025.

Sinner has done an outstanding job of staying focused since the news broke. The world No. 1 secured a first US Open title a couple of weeks after, beating Taylor Fritz in a one-sided final at Flushing Meadows.

Further triumphs at the Shanghai Masters and the ATP Finals followed that success. He once again defeated Fritz in the final to win the ATP Finals, completing a perfect week on home soil in Turin.

Sinner could finish the season by helping Italy retain the Davis Cup after beating Alex de Minaur to secure the team's place in the final, but he has already written himself a letter reflecting on the year. Sinner began with the goals he set for himself at the start of 2024.

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"Dear Jan, I think that the emotions you experienced over the past year will be with you for a long time. The only goal you had set for yourself was to understand what you were capable of. You are definitely arriving at this Davis Cup more aware of your abilities compared to a year ago."

The Italian took a shot at those who criticized him after the news of his doping cases broke despite not knowing him and is proud of how he has handled that situation.

"You did well to hold up when everyone had an opinion about you, especially those who didn’t really know you. From 2024, you have learned that the important people who know you well are the ones you should keep close forever."

Sinner also reminded himself to have fun on the court since that is when he plays his best and because tennis is only a game.

"After difficulties, you always come out stronger. As soon as you arrived in Malaga, you could feel the eyes of the whole world on you. The pressure is there. And, said between us, you’re starting to like it a little. Jan, never forget that this is just a game and that you’re fine when you’re having fun."