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Jimmy Connors believes tennis would not "survive" if Jannik Sinner were banned following doping controversy
ATPTuesday, 22 October 2024 at 03:30
Former World No.1 Jimmy Connors has voiced his opinion on the controversy surrounding the doping allegations against tennis superstar Jannik Sinner, saying the sport would take a major hit if the Italian were to be handed a ban.
It was revealed in August that Sinner had tested positive for Clostebol, a banned substance, during Indian Wells earlier this year. However, the Italian appealed, arguing the substance had infiltrated his body after receiving a massage from his ex-physiotherapist. Subsequently, Sinner was cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), sparking a debate as many believed he wad received a lenient treatment.
Connors states tennis would be worse off with a Sinner ban
On the latest episode of his Advantage Connors podcast, the retired American pro admitted he had seen several lower-ranked players banned for violating the anti-doping policy. However, Connors believes tennis would not survive if Sinner were handed a ban.
"I am not so close to it that I understand just what a grain of salt of that does," began Connors. " And to be honest, that’s not my style to be a part of that. Listen, all I know is that I don’t think tennis at that level could survive that to hit a top player. They have shown in the past that they are not afraid to hit lower ranked players and discard them from the game. But I don’t know if tennis at that level could take it."
Furthermore, Connors would go on to suggest that playing tennis served as a distraction for Sinner during the trying period.
"It’s his escape," added Connors. "Once he is out on that court he has too much to think about. His own game, his opponent. He knows what it is going to take to win. But what do you do for the other 20 hours over the rest of the day?"
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- Who is making up these rankings btw?
AceOfBase23-11-2024 - Paolini remarkably low. Must have won tons of matches against lower ranked players. Kind of like these rankings. Seem to be more fair.MrAndreeva23-11-2024
- Why does Tennisuptodate feel like her PR Department's constant deluge of daily/weekly media submissions are 'tennis news' ?
mandoist19-11-2024 - 'Apologies', in cases like this where people are caught being their True Selves, are best shoved up their butts.mandoist19-11-2024
- Paolini playing Swiatek and then has to come back an hour later to play doubles. The BJ Cup is like the rest of tennis entrepreneurs.PalopoDave18-11-2024
