Jannik Sinner ‘could lose US Open title’ as details emerge following win over Taylor Fritz
Jannik Sinner could lose his US Open title despite beating Taylor Fritz to win the second Grand Slam of his tennis career, according to reports.
The Italian cruised to a straight-sets victory over his American opponent on Sunday to add to the Australian Open crown that he secured at the start of the year.
Sinner’s participation at the tournament was controversial, however, with the 23-year-old previously failing two drug tests earlier in the year.
He was later cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent tribunal, having claimed an anabolic steroid had entered his system through a massage from his physiotherapist.
Sinner has always denied any wrongdoing.
But AP say that his US Open title could yet be ‘jeopardised’ if either the World Anti-Doping Agency or Nado Italia, Italy’s own anti-doping agency, challenge the decision to clear him.
Time is said to be running out for appeals to be filed in the case that exonerated Sinner.
It’s claimed both agencies likely have only one more day to challenge the decision that was announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency on August 20.
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There is a 21-day window to appeal the decision, with the process starting once all relevant parties were informed last month.
Any appeal would have to be made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Sinner, for his part, has provided detailed scientific evidence to show that his explanation for the failed drug tests are credible.
Both the tennis star and his team are confident the matter has been put to bed, despite Nick Kyrgios being among his critics.
Sinner insists the test results happened because his fitness trainer bought an over-the-counter spray called Trofodermin in Italy that contained Clostebol.
The tennis star, who was forced to give 10 interviews to the ITIA, said his physiotherapist used the cream to treat a cut on their finger.
They then treated Sinner without any gloves, with the tennis star since saying he’s axed two of his trainers as a result.
Should Sinner end up losing an appeal case to CAS, he could face a maximum ban of two years – rather than the usual four.
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Four-year bans are predominantly reserved for athletes unable to show that their positive test was unintentional, while Sinner has clear evidence backing his argument.
Meanwhile, speaking last night, the new US Open champion admitted that the recent ordeal was ‘still on his mind’ as he etched his name into the history books.
He was, however, pleased to claim a second major.
“I’m happy how I handled this one. I’m just excited to have this trophy with me,” he said. “It was and it’s still a little bit in my mind.
“It’s not that it’s gone, but when I’m on court, I try to focus about the game, I try to handle the situation the best possible way.
“Obviously it was very difficult for me to enjoy in certain moments.
“Also how I behaved or how I walked on the court in certain tournaments before, it was not the same as I used to be, so whoever knows me better, they know that something was wrong.
“But during this tournament, slowly I restarted to feel a little bit more how I am as a person.
“It was not easy, that’s for sure, but in the other way I tried to stay focused, which I guess I’ve done a great job mentally staying there every point I play, and that’s it.”