Former
Serena Williams and Andy Roddick coach, Rick Macci, praised
Jannik Sinner for
his response to the doping scandal against him. The Italian tested positive for
Clostebol twice in March of this year after Indian Wells, but the information
was only made public in August, prior to the US Open.
The world
No. 1 faced strong criticism from some of his colleagues, including Nick
Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov, for allegedly receiving different treatment
compared to other players' cases and not facing any suspension.
Sinner faces doping allegations
The ITIA
announced that an independent tribunal ruled that Sinner bore "no fault or
negligence" in the case. The substance reportedly entered his body after
receiving a massage from his former physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, who used an
aerosol containing Clostebol to treat a cut on his finger, which is believed to
be the reason the substance was detected in Sinner's system. This situation led
to the departure of Naldi and fitness coach Umbert Ferrara from Sinner's team.
“We made an
incredible job, bringing a lot of success and then having a great team behind
me. Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue
with them,” the two-time Grand Slam champion admitted.
The World
Anti-Doping Agency has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking a
suspension for the player of up to two years. “WADA is seeking a period of
ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a
disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by
the tribunal of first instance.”
Jannik Sinner won his second Grand Slam title at the 2024 US Open.
Sinner gains support from Rick Macci
Recently,
Rick Macci shared his thoughts on how Sinner handled the situation. Macci is a
legendary former coach of several No. 1 players, such as Serena and Venus
Williams, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, and Jennifer Capriati, and is a Hall
of Famer known as one of the most outstanding coaches in history.
“I was
asked again by another journalist if Sinner should be suspended for two years
because of the doping allegations. I said of course not, but a few journalists
should be suspended for two weeks for being a dope,” he wrote. “The Italian
flame thrower and how he handled the allegation is another gold nugget in his
mental toolbox,” Macci added.
“He took
adversity and made it his best friend. Greatness has that ability to take a
negative and flip the script even though, by accident, he tested positive,”
Macci added.
Sinner
recently played in the
Shanghai Masters, where he claimed his seventh title of
the season by defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The Italian then
skipped the Paris Masters and is preparing for the
ATP Finals, where he will be
the main favorite for the title.