Jannik Sinner's struggle with doping controversy despite tennis victories

Italy’s young tennis star Jannik Sinner has opened up about losing his smile despite his on-court success because of a doping scandal. The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the best players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category along with the likes of Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.

Sinner has been in sublime form of late. He became the world number one during the French Open when Djokovic was forced to withdraw just before the start of the quarterfinal against Norway’s Casper Ruud because of a knee injury. The San Candido-born recently participated in the Shanghai Masters, where he lifted his title after beating Djokovic in the final 7-6, 6-3. It was his seventh title this year, and with that, he is certain to finish 2024 as the world number one.

However, despite all the success, Sinner has admitted losing his smile because of a doping scandal. The two-time Grand Slam winner tested positive for a banned substance in two tests but escaped a ban after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted his counsel’s response where they claimed that the presence of the banned substance in the player’s sample was because he received cream to treat an injury from one member of the coaching staff.

"Well, I know this year has been very, very tough for me because of other circumstances,” he said. “You know, at points I lost a little bit of smile because I had some issues off the court, and then they're still in my mind sometimes. You know, people, they think that, you know, by winning or having success that you don't have any problems, but it's not true, you know, because I'm, the situation where I'm in, obviously, it's not comfortable, and I wish I would not be in this position where I am right now off the court, and playing freely more on the court, and trying even to enjoy it a little bit more. But, you know, you have to accept it. Of course, I have moments where I think about it, which is not the best part.”