The 23-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing steroid clostebol on two occasions in March. And the subsequent investigation has worn down the world number one.
If you're not one of Jannik's fans, you may not have noticed a big difference, because he has still played pretty well, says coach Darren Cahill to
, and continues:
But if you're a supporter, you've seen a big change in his body language, his physique on the court, and his enthusiasm. He has struggled and I think it has worn him down both physically and mentally.
Sinner was initially banned, but appealed, claiming he had ingested the substance by mistake. One of his team members bought the spray containing the substance, and gave it to Sinner's physiotherapist, who cut his finger. The physiotherapist then massaged Sinner, transferring the substance. The explanation was accepted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which cleared the Italian.
How the case has been handled – particularly that it was kept secret until recently – has led to criticism from other players.
Sinner will enter the US Open as the top seed, ahead of Olympic Games winner Novak Djokovic, who is chasing his 25th Grand Slam title.
