The world number 1 wins the US Open. What sounds like simple logic is a lot more complicated in the case of Jannik Sinner. The doping shadow and a sick aunt cloud the Italian's joy.
09.09.2024, 12:45
09.09.2024, 12:52
SDA
The image of the outwardly radiant Jannik Sinner in the confetti rain is deceptive. The lanky South Tyrolean has never been a man of exuberant emotions. But after his second Grand Slam triumph after Melbourne in January, he is particularly reflective. At just 23 years of age, he is at the peak of his sporting career, but his joy is not untroubled.
The discussions surrounding the two positive doping tests weigh heavily on Sinner's shoulders despite his acquittal. A few days before the start of the US Open, the public learned that he had tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol twice in March during and after the tournament in Indian Wells. However, unlike most players in similar cases, Sinner was not suspended but allowed to continue playing and was ultimately cleared of any guilt. He - and probably also his lawyers - were able to credibly demonstrate that the extremely small amount of the substance had entered his body unintentionally during a massage.
Mentally defying the odds
Hardly anyone believes that Sinner actually wanted to improve his performance with malicious intent. Nevertheless, a shadow remains; the unequal treatment was and is disturbing for many. On the court, Sinner is able to ignore the turmoil - as he did in March, when he won the Masters 1000 tournament in Miami shortly after the positive test, which was initially only known to a small circle.
But after the final, he also admits: "It was already in my mind a bit, and it still is. It hasn't gone away." It definitely wasn't easy. This makes it all the more of a mental achievement that Sinner was the first Italian to storm to victory at the US Open, losing just two sets. However, he will probably not be able to shake off the doping story completely for some time yet.
Worries about beloved aunt
However, the thought of his aunt weighed even heavier on Sinner's mind. He dedicated the victory to her and revealed that she was in poor health. "She is a very important person in my life." She often used to drive him to the ski races, as his parents worked in the mountain hotel every day. "Even in summer, when you don't train every day as a teenager, I spent a lot of time with her." Sinner grew up in the South Tyrolean ski resort of Sesto and only decided to pursue a career in tennis relatively late in life.
Speaking to the media in New York late in his career, the redhead reflected on the darker side of life as a tennis pro. "During these difficult months, I also realized once again that real life is different from sport," he said. "We're on the road so much, it's difficult to spend time with the people you really love. If I had more time, I would definitely spend more time with the people who really mean something to me."
Soon to be the big two
Sinner's triumph in New York also has significance for the tennis world. For the first time since 2002, none of the trio of the big three - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer - won a Grand Slam tournament this year. Even though Djokovic once again achieved a major goal by winning Olympic gold, the transition to a new generation has probably taken place.
The big titles this year went to 23-year-old Sinner (Australia, US Open) and Carlos Alcaraz (French Open, Wimbledon), who is still two years younger. "It's nice to see new champions and new rivalries," says the Italian. "It's good for the sport."
And gives his opponents hope. "Maybe it's become a bit more open," hopes losing finalist Taylor Fritz. "You don't have to play incredibly well to get far in a tournament." However, the American could be wrong. The way Sinner and Alcaraz are currently playing, they could dominate tennis for years to come like the big three did before them. At some point, Jannik Sinner will be able to enjoy himself again without restrictions.
