Tennis-Doping in spotlight as Sinner reaches second round of Australian Open


  • Tennis
  • Monday, 13 Jan 2025

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 13, 2025 Italy's Jannik Sinner in action during his first round match against Chile's Nicolas Jarry REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -World number one Jannik Sinner said he was happy with his reception from the Australian Open crowd on Monday as he launched his title defence with a comfortable win over Nicolas Jarry while still embroiled in a doping case.

Sinner avoided suspension after failing two drug tests last March but the World Anti-Doping Agency is seeking a ban of up to two years at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a hearing set for April.

A string of players have criticised tennis authorities for their handling of the case, including Chilean Jarry, who was banned for 11 months by the International Tennis Federation in 2020 after testing positive for anabolic agents.

With Australian player Nick Kyrgios particularly scathing about Sinner's case, the Italian said he was curious how fans at Rod Laver Arena might react.

As it was, Sinner was cheered warmly as he took the court, and throughout his 7-6(2) 7-6(5) 6-1 win over Jarry in the afternoon sunshine.

"You never know what's happening. I was happy about the crowd. It was a very nice crowd. There were some (support) for my opponent and some for me," he told reporters.

"It was a nice atmosphere."

Though the crowd was appreciative, Jarry said he had struggled mentally in the lead-up to the match given their contrasting doping histories.

He said he wished he had "the same support" as Sinner from tennis authorities following his own failed tests.

'SAME TREATMENT'

Jarry was banned after testing positive for two anabolic agents, though the governing body accepted his explanation that he had unwittingly taken multi-vitamins containing the prohibited substances on the recommendation of his doctor.

Four months before the sanction, the ITF disclosed that he had been provisionally suspended for failing the drug tests.

Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing last year by a doping tribunal which accepted his explanation that the anabolic agent clostebol had entered his system from his former physio through massages.

His results, prize money and ranking points from the ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells were cancelled.

A provisional suspension was applied with each positive test but Sinner was allowed to keep playing after his team filed urgent appeals.

The case was not made public until August.

"What I can say is that I would have liked the same treatment as the things that I went through," said world number 36 Jarry.

"I don't think it was the same, so that's all.

"What I can say is that it's tough for me to play against him.

"Thankfully, I was able to do a very good job since the draw was out and all the emotions that went through."

Sinner and Jarry met at the net for a cursory handshake at the end of the match.

Asked whether he sympathised with Jarry, Sinner said he did not know the details of his case.

"There's the protocol. If the protocol has some issues or problem, then it's not my fault, you know?" he told reporters.

"Of course, I'm very sorry for the players who are passing these kind of things.

"But I don't know exactly the details about his case and my case. I know only what happened to me."

Sinner will play local wildcard Tristan Schoolkate for a place in the third round.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Tennis

Tennis-Medvedev hopes Sinner's doping settlement with WADA sets precedent
ATP roundup: Hamad Medjedovic earns milestone victory in Marseille
Tennis-Anisimova beats Ostapenko in Qatar final to claim first WTA 1000 title
Tennis-Sinner accepts three-month doping ban after settlement with WADA
ATP roundup: Defending Delray Beach champ Taylor Fritz falls
Tennis-Ostapenko dumps Swiatek out of Qatar Open to set up Anisimova final
Tennis-Ostapenko takes aim at partisan Doha crowd after beating Jabeur
Tennis-Swiatek beats Rybakina to move into Qatar Open semi-finals
ATP roundup: Diego Schwartzman postpones retirement another day
Tennis-Rybakina 'disappointed' after former coach Vukov remains banned

Others Also Read