Dutch Davis Cup captain Paul Haarhuis praised Jannik Sinner following the conclusion of the Davis Cup final, but he expressed skepticism about the public ever fully understanding the details of the Italian tennis star’s doping case.
Sinner, currently ranked world No. 1, faced scrutiny after testing positive for a banned steroid in March. He attributed the positive tests to an over-the-counter spray used by his former physio, Giacomo Naldi. This explanation was accepted, and an investigation concluded that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence,” allowing him to avoid a ban.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has since appealed the ruling by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), leaving the possibility of a suspension still looming. “About doping, we never know what happened. What’s my feeling? Jannik is an unbelievably nice guy and a great player, but we never know what happened,” Haarhuis remarked when asked about Sinner’s situation.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Sinner’s performance on the court has remained strong. He has recently secured victories at the Shanghai Masters, the ATP Finals, the Davis Cup Finals with Italy, and the Six Kings Slam exhibition. Nevertheless, the doping case weighs on his mind. “Of course it’s in the head a little bit. The most important part is all the people who are around me, who know me as a human being, trust me,” Sinner stated. “That’s also why I kept playing at the level I have. Those who know me, I was emotionally a bit down, a bit heartbroken. Sometimes life gives you difficulties and you just have to deal with it.” The final verdict in his case is expected in early 2025.
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