Jannik Sinner refused to answer a question about kissing his girlfriend after winning the US Open final on Sunday. The world No. 1’s second Grand Slam title of the year came weeks after news of his doping violation became public, which he said had made him “sick” and caused him “sleepless nights”.
Sinner, 23, began the US Open amid controversy, having only days earlier revealed he had tested positive twice for the banned substance clostebol in March. The Italian tennis star was allowed to continue playing after an independent tribunal ruled he was “not at fault or negligent”, having successfully argued that the tests were the result of contamination by his then-physiotherapist.
His doping saga finally came to a head this week after the World Anti-Doping Agency did not appeal the decision. But the controversy did not come without its toll on Sinner at the US Open, where he emerged victorious for the first time.
Speaking about the impact of his doping controversy, Sinner said: told Ubitennis: “Since the news came out, I’ve been sick, I haven’t slept, I’ve had many sleepless nights and then when there’s tension it’s even more difficult, but it made me grow and that’s why I’ve won so many matches.” Sinner’s celebrations after beating Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-4 7-5 were noticeably subdued. The toll he’s been paying in the last few days was clear to see, as he simply threw his arms up.