'Tennis Is Better With Sinner': Connors Unhappy With Focus On Ban Over Sinner's Success
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Former ATP World No. 1, Jimmy Connors, isn't happy that Jannik Sinner's doping case has overshadowed his success in the past few months.
At the start of the 2024 season, Sinner announced himself on the biggest stage. He won the Australian Open, and he dominated in the following months to reach the World No. 1 rank.
He was the most dominant player last year, but in August last year, Sinner's positive test for a banned substance was made public, and since then, the headlines have been dominated by his positive test instead of his tennis.
In the meantime, he managed to win the US Open and the Australian Open again. On top of that, he also won the Cincinnati Open and the Shanghai Masters, as well as the ATP Finals.
Sinner has been incredible on the tennis courts, but according to Connors, his achievements don't receive enough recognition because of his doping case and now also subsequent three-month suspension.
The 72-year-old former player spoke about Sinner during the most recent episode of his Advantage Connors podcast. Connors thinks that tennis is much better with the American player in it.
"Well, all I know is tennis is better with Sinner in it. It’s a lot better with him in it. And for him to be away from the game and not playing at a top level and not creating the interest that he does, if he does with whoever his fans are or whatever, is not good for the game."
"But it’s a shame that that’s kind of crept into the game right now. And it’s taken away from a guy who, over the past 18 months, has had an unbelievable run, a great stretch of wins and exciting tennis and great for his career and even great for the game."
It's not a surprise that Connors thinks that Sinner's achievements have been overshadowed by his doping case, and the organizations in charge are to blame as well.
The Italian player tested positive during the Indian Wells Open last year, and the final resolution of his case came only in February this year. The talk about Sinner's case has been present for very long, practically almost the whole period of his dominance.
"And to have that tainted a little bit like that, you know, and I’m going to go back and say it, I’m old school. I’m all for doing it all and being as good as you can be on what you are and who you are."
"And if that’s not good enough, then be as good as you can be, whatever that is. But, you know, I don’t think tennis needs that. Tennis needs something to take it to another level up and push it forward for the future generations and the young kids coming in that, you know, that look up to these kids, not to knock it down a peg."
