La Civetta March 2025 | Page 36

J a n n i k S i n n e r i s I t a l y ’ s s p o r t i n g i c o n –

Instagram : @ janniksin but his doping ban makes him an unconventional villain

Jannik Sinner is not a typical villain . He is not arrogant , or volatile , or prone to riling up his opponents . He does not

thrash his racket through the air in frustration or engage in verbal spats with crowds . He is polite and humble , celebrating Grand Slam triumphs with a mere pump of the fist and complimenting the opponent he has just ruthlessly dispatched . And yet , in a remarkable turn of events , Sinner has become tennis ’ s anti-hero .

In February , Sinner announced he had accepted a three-month ban after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency ( Wada ) over two positive drug tests . The 23-year-old had tested positive for clostebol , a banned anabolic steroid , in March 2024 but was subsequently cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency ( ITIA ) of any wrongdoing . Wada contested the ruling and took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport , setting up a legal battle which had been set to be decided in April . Instead , a three-month ban marks the end of a tumultuous period off the court for the Italian number one .

Sinner ’ s explanation for the banned substance refuted any suggestion of intentional cheating . The Italian argued clostebol had entered his system through a massage , administered by former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi . It was explained Naldi was using a cream containing clostebol to treat a cut on his finger , which inadvertently entered Sinner ’ s system . The Italian later sacked Naldi and fitness coach Umberto Ferrara , believed to have bought the cream .

While the impending court case loomed over Sinner ’ s head , the Italian continued business as usual . He claimed his maiden US Open title last September , won the Davis Cup with Italy and then cantered to a win over Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final in January . Sinner reached world number one status , the first Italian to do so in history , off the back of a remarkable run which saw him win 73 matches out of 79 .

Sinner had always underlined his innocence but his acceptance of a three-month ban recognises some responsibility . In a statement released by the Italian , Sinner said : “ This case had been hanging over me for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year . […] I have always accepted I am responsible for my team and realise Wada ’ s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love .”

Except , for many in the game , Sinner ’ s settlement underlines the fragility and inconsistency of tennis ’ s anti-doping system . Other players have been dealt more severe punishments : Maria Sharapova was banned for fifteen months after a positive test for meldonium and Simona Halep faced an initial four-year sanction following a positive result for Roxadustat , although her suspension was later reduced to nine months . Sinner would argue his case was entirely different and the extent of his violation much smaller than Sharapova or Halep .

Instagram : @ janniksin

Beyond Italy , all eyes will be on how the suspension could impact the world number one .

Asides from perceived inconsistencies , there is a concern that tennis is operating a twotier system . The Italian ’ s sporting status and financial resources allowed him to assemble a world-class legal team , who acted quickly enough not just to speed up the ITIA ’ s initial tribunal but also to reach this settlement . Women ’ s world number two Iga Swiatek benefited from similar luxuries , serving just a one-month ban for a positive test of trimetazidine .

Players further down the tennis chain will feel aggrieved they are not afforded the same priority or leniency . Tara Moore , previously the highest ranked British doubles player , served a 19-month suspension for positive traces of anabolic substances in her system but was later cleared of “ no fault or negligence ”. Moore was not given the same opportunity to carry on playing while the case was settled . If the 32-year-old had better financial backing or status in the game , would she have served any ban at all ?

Each doping case is unique , but the optics of preferential treatment and inconsistent punishments have brought Wada ’ s role into repute . The reality is that Sinner ’ s threemonth sanction appears to be well-timed . The Italian ’ s ban is in place until 9 May , which conveniently allows him to return for the Rome Open in time for the major Grand Slams to follow .

At time of writing , Sinner is still the men ’ s world number one despite being docked 2,100 ranking points – even if Carlos Alcaraz or Zverev overtake Sinner ’ s position , the Italian will be much better rested to hit the ground running on his return .

When Sinner does grace the court again , Italy will welcome its prodigal son with open arms . The 23-year-old is already an icon : his on-court triumphs make him Italy ’ s most prolific Grand Slam winner , male or female , since Nicola Pietrangeli won two Grand Slam titles . Sinner already has three .

But his idolisation is about more than the tennis . Sinner gives Italians a reason to root for him : the skiing-talent-turned-tennis-star who chose to play for the love of the sport . He remains as loyal to his family as he is to the game , dedicating his US Open victory last September to his unwell aunt . He even has a dedicated fanbase , the ‘ Carota Boys ’, clad in bright orange tracksuits in homage to Sinner ’ s choice of snack during a 2019 match .

Beyond Italy , all eyes will be on how the suspension could impact the world number one . Sharapova , Halep and Moore have all struggled for form after their doping bans , albeit Sinner is at a much different stage of his career . It will also be interesting to see how Sinner is received . Players including Novak Djokovic and Liam Broady have questioned the length and timing of the Italian ’ s ban , which could make him an unpopular figure in the locker room . But if Sinner ’ s mental strength during the Australian Open is anything to go by , when the case was still hanging over his head , then the Italian should be able to focus on his game .

In his early tennis career , Sinner has hardly put a foot wrong . As his opponents now scramble to catch up , the game waits for its Italian giant to emerge from his slumber . When he does , a physically fit , mentally recharged Grand Slam champion lies in wait . Perhaps ironically , the Italian could become more hated for his dominance on-court than his controversy off it .

Welcome to the Jannik Sinner villain era .

By Bruno Quinney ( He / Him ) // Final Year ; French , Italian and Portuguese

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