Jiri Lehecka had a very cold response to a troll who tried to shade him over his comments on the Jannik Sinner doping case and it all resulted in that post being deleted and the Czech tennis star getting apologized.
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On Monday, the world No. 37 didn't have a victorious day at the office after the top-seeded Italian handed him a 6-2 7-6 (6) loss in the Beijing quarterfinal. For the current world No. 1, it was his third match since the WADA announced that they appealed to the CAS about the ITIA's verdict.
After it was revealed in August that Sinner was investigated over a failed doping test and that he won his case, Lehecka suggested that it wasn't that hard for someone in his position because he was able to use some big money to hire the best possible lawyers.
"Jannik is able to slap five million euros on the table for lawyers and say: Guys, come on, let's play. I think that's one of the reasons they were more careful with him," the 22-year-old said at the time, according to Czech media.
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Following the Czech's loss to the Italian at the China Open, one person remembered that quote.
"Hi Jiri, this is why he can spread five million euros on a table to pay for a lawyer and you can't," the troll wrote on X.
Lehecka appeared to be absolutely unbothered by thedig, bluntly responding: "I agree."
When the Sinner news came out and some started making the double standards claims, the Italian's coach Darren Cahill shut down by stating that his pupil had the resources to hire a very strong legal team that would defend him in the best possible way. By doing so, the Italian didn't do anything illegally but it wasn't a secret that the majority of players wouldn't be able to afford his legal team.
Lehecka receives an apology
After not getting the reaction that the troll probably wanted, the post was deleted - which led to some criticizing the person in question and telling them that they should have stood behind their words.
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Shortly after, the person who made the initial post apologized to the former world No. 22.
"I deleted that post. I never thought it could cause so much chaos. Mine was a joke taken from Jiri's statement, ultra offensive in my opinion. In any case I was stupid and hasty. I apologize," the apology read.
What Sinner said after beating Lehecka?
Early in the match, the top seed controlled everything and he easily sealed the first set after collecting breaks in the fourth and eighth games. However, the second set was a much tighter battle as both players held firmly to their serves and a tie-break had to resolve the set.
There, Lehecka opened a 6-4 lead and came inches away from forcing a decider. But then, he blew it all by losing the next four points and ultimately the match.
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Afterward, Sinner praised his rival and acknowledged that he didn't have an easy job, especially late in the second set.
"Yeah, felt like I was starting very well the match, starting with a good confidence. After I had some chances quite early in the second set, I didn't use them throughout the whole set. He is a very tough player to play against. When he's serving very well, he's hitting very strong the ball. I just tried to stay there mentally. Was down 4-6 in the breaker. Happy to win in two sets. Also happy to be back in the semis here," the world No. 1 reflected.
During the same presser, the two-time Grand Slam champion also admitted that he wasn't in an easy position but that he was doing his best to stay positive and focused.
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"First of all, it's not a situation where I like to be in, no? It's a very delicate and difficult and also different situation. But what I know is that I always try to remind myself that I haven't done anything wrong, which already just gives you a little bit head up. For sure I had sleepless nights during this time. Now again it's going to be not easy. It's reminding you that this could happen potentially. Obviously disappointed that I am again in this situation. I just try to stay somehow focused on my work and trying to do everything possible I can to be ready for each match I play," Sinner explained.
