The 23-year-old Jannik Sinner showed two positive doping tests in March, but claimed that he had ingested the anabolic steroid clostebol by mistake. This was through a massage by his physiotherapist, who had injured his finger and used an ointment for the injury.
The International Tennis Federation accepted Sinner's explanation and cleared him, but the anti-doping organization Wada appealed. Now the case is with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Cas. The verdict in Cas will not come until 2025. Wada wants to see Sinner banned for up to two years.
"Fantastic week"
The news of the appeal came just before the US Open in New York. A Grand Slam tournament Sinner won after a final victory over Taylor Fritz, but there was no revenge for the American in the Italian Turin.
The story repeated itself from Tuesday's group stage match – then as now in the final, Jannik Sinner won with 6–4, 6–4. The Italian was best on the crucial balls and clinical when the chance to score the decisive points arose.
Last year, Sinner lost the ATP final to Serbian Novak Djokovic, who did not participate in the game this year due to injury. Now the 23-year-old did not lose a single set throughout the entire playoffs.
It has been a fantastic week. It's my first title in Italy and it means a lot to me, he says in the victory interview on TV4 Tennis broadcast.
Two Grand Slam
The major victory on home soil in Italy puts an end to a sporting successful year for the Italian.
He started the year by taking home his first Grand Slam title when he won the Australian Open in January – in June, he took over the throne as world number one. In addition to the two Grand Slam titles and the victory in the tour final, he has won five more ATP titles, including three Master tournaments this season.
Daniel Kihlström/TT
Facts: The last ten winners of the ATP final
TT
2024: Jannik Sinner, Italy.
2023: Novak Djokovic, Serbia.
2022: Djokovic.
2021: Alexander Zverev, Germany.
2020: Daniil Medvedev, Russia.
2019: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece.
2018: Zverev.
2017: Grigor Dimitrov, Bulgaria.
2016: Andy Murray, Great Britain.
2015: Djokovic.
