Jannik
Sinner admitted to feeling fearful about his colleagues' reactions following
the doping case he was involved in a few months ago. The World No. 1 opened up
in an honest interview with Esquire, where he also revealed that Daniil
Medvedev was the rival who pushed him to improve his game and helped him take a
tactical step forward.
The Italian
tested positive twice for Clostebol in March during Indian Wells, but after his
appeal, the ITIA cleared him of any fault or negligence, avoiding a suspension.
The information only became public in August during the Cincinnati Open, and
Sinner recalled the anxiety he felt upon returning to the locker room after the
case.
Sinner reveals the rival who transformed his game after a difficult doping saga
Sinner’s
controversial doping case was undoubtedly one of the key talking points of the
2024 ATP season. The Italian faced both criticism and support within the tennis
world. Although he was confident in his innocence, Sinner confessed to feeling
"fearful" when re-entering the locker room.
In a recent
interview with Esquire, the two-time Grand Slam champion reflected on
the difficult months he endured after learning about the positive tests for
Clostebol. “It was a
tough time,” Sinner admitted. “I couldn’t talk to anyone about it. I couldn’t
vent or get help. All the people who knew me and watched me play understood
that there was something wrong with me.
“I had
sleepless nights because even if you are certain of your innocence, you know
that these things are complex. Everyone immediately told the truth, and that
allowed me to play. But at Wimbledon, I was white.”
“And even
afterwards, my feeling with people was fearful. I went into training at the
Cincinnati clubhouse and thought, ‘How are they looking at me? What do they
really think of me?’ I realised who my real friends are,” he added. “I have
grown so much this year, both mentally and physically.”
Sinner won the Cincinnati Open after defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final (7-6, 6-2).
On the
other hand, the Italian reflected on his remarkable rise on the tour during
2024. In an extraordinary season, he secured 73 wins and only 6 losses,
claiming a total of 8 titles, including two Grand Slam titles, three Masters
1000s, and the ATP Finals.
Sinner
pinpointed Daniil Medvedev as the rival who forced him to adapt his game to
achieve victory. The Russian held a 6-0 record against Sinner until late 2023,
when the Italian finally broke through with a win in the Beijing Open final.
Since then, Sinner has won 8 of their last 9 encounters, taking a lead in their
head-to-head with an 8-6 record (5-1 in 2024).
“My tennis
is versatile, but, for example, I still don’t know how to play the net game
well,” he commented. “A player who has made me grow a lot is Medvedev. I had
never done serve-and-volley, and he forced me to practise that to try to beat
him. Against some players, I have to do more of a long backhand.”
“In tennis,
you learn from your relationship with your opponent. The real question for the
player is: how do I get into the opponent’s head? If you guess the answer,
things in the match change.”
He also
mentioned the losses he suffered against the 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak
Djokovic as a motivation to improve. “For me, losing often to Novak Djokovic
taught me a lot. It’s good for you; it wakes you up. In football, you might
play against Ronaldo and realise you have to prepare better next time. But when
is the next time? In tennis, we have more opportunities to make up for it.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026 - Osaka's mental state apparently does not allow her to reach any more Quarter Finals? I mean, she doesn't really have the time for tennis with all the pre-planning that must go into her 12 year-old "fashion" goals.mandoist29-10-2026
- With her money one would think she could afford a better team of Psychiatrists?mandoist29-10-2026
- Boss move, Sinner !Rapunzel27-10-2026
- Apparently still refusing to seek 'help' ...and still playing Dress-Up like a 10 year-old.mandoist27-10-2026
- Lena... Takin' care of businessmandoist25-10-2026
- Can you please stop publishing this nonsense? Stick to Tennis.mandoist25-10-2026
- Does Sinner need that 4.5 mil? I doubt it. He can make that with three modelling gigs!😅🤣Rapunzel21-10-2026
- Did "People Magazine" purchase this website? This nonstop storyline is bullshit.mandoist21-10-2026
