Tennis superstar Jannik Sinner. © APA/afp / HENRY NICHOLLS

Troubled US Open: Sinner and the big WADA puzzle

The draw for the US Open, which begins next week, will take place in New York on Thursday. As the world number one, Jannik Sinner is one of the big favorites. But turbulent days await the Sexten superstar.

August 22, 2024

From: det

That Jannik Sinner after his Tournament victory in Cincinnati regained his old strength on Monday and underlined his position as favorite for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year, has completely faded into the background in the last few hours. Rather, the Doping chaos surrounding the Sextner superstar the headlines. Sinner is omnipresent in the daily newspapers and online portals of the sports world.

It will be a huge challenge for Sinner to block out these distractions and concentrate on the sport. Also because the doping case is not yet closed. The World Anti-Doping Agency WADA and Italy's doping authority NADO have the right to appeal against Sinner's acquittal until midnight on September 6th. This deadline is two days before the final of the US Open.

Sinner encouraged by previous example

While Italy's doping authority has not yet commented on the Sinner case, WADA has announced that it will examine the case thoroughly and, if necessary, file an appeal. If WADA decides to appeal, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne will decide whether Sinner's innocence remains or not. Experts are divided over the chances of such an appeal being successful.

Sinner is one of the big favorites at the US Open. © APA / MINAS PANAGIOTAKIS

Sinner is encouraged by a previous example. Marco Bortolotti lived through At the end of last year the same nightmare, He also tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol. His explanation convinced an independent court of the International Tennis Integrity Agency, which acquitted him - and WADA did not allow an appeal.

Expert finds Sinner’s version plausible

Sinner's explanation that he had been contaminated by his physiotherapist during a massage was also convincing for the independent court and so he was acquitted. The famous German doping expert Hajo Seppelt finds this version plausible, as he said in an interview with ARD explained.

Check out this post on Instagram

A post shared by Osteria Delbianco (@osteriadelbianco)

Sinner, meanwhile, will try to concentrate on tennis in the next few days, even if that won't be easy. On Wednesday evening, he visited a famous Italian restaurant in New York and had himself photographed there for a souvenir photo.


Here The draw for the US Open begins.