Jannik Sinner touched on many topics during the Shanghai Rolex Masters media day, one of which is obviously the WADA appeal to CAS in Lausanne.
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"It was something that surprised me but I knew that this possibility was there. I will cooperate as I always have, but let's see. I am confident that this situation will be resolved positively and I would be very surprised if it is not the case," he said.
Jannik also analyzed his journey in Shanghai, explaining: "I'm really happy to be back here, it's a special and very nice tournament. I just finished my first training session and I feel good. What has changed compared to the past? In addition to being a player, I think I've grown as a person, when you're young every year is a step forward and a lot of things have changed in the last twelve months. Success hasn't changed my mentality and that's very positive. Having my family and surrounding myself with good people who support me is very important to me, I hope that next year I can say the same thing."
Talking about his defeat in Beijing against Carlos Alcaraz, the young Italian analyzed: "The defeat in the tie-break is something that can happen: you can win or lose in the tie-break of the third set, sometimes I win and sometimes he wins. I had chances in the third set but he could have won in the first set and in the end I won it. In the second set I had some break points at 4-3 and some chances even at 5-4, in the tie-break of the third I was ahead but he made some great shots and I think it was a really great match. That's all."
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Jannik also analyzed how he prepared for the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai: "I didn't do anything in particular, Carlos and I had a nice event with Nike and I think there will be some other appearances. This situation of staying in touch with the fans is fantastic, then I'm resting and going to the gym. Today I did the first training, I hope to be ready for the challenge scheduled for tomorrow."
Returning to talk about the doping-issue, a few days ago, Sinner had shared a strong statement against WADA's appeal at the CAS in Lausanne.
"I am disappointed to hear that WADA has chosen to appeal the outcome of the ITIA ruling after the independent judges had exonerated me and declared me innocent. Over the past few months and during this trial there have been three separate hearings that have confirmed my innocence. Several months of interviews and investigations culminated with three experts going through every detail through a formal hearing. They issued a thorough ruling explaining why they determined I was not at fault, with clear evidence provided and my cooperation throughout.
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Based on such a robust process, both the ITIA and the Italian Anti-Doping Authority accepted the explanations and waived their right to appeal. I understand that these things need to be thoroughly investigated to maintain the integrity of the sport we all love. However, it is difficult to understand what will be achieved by asking a different panel of three judges to look at the same facts and documents again. That said, I have nothing to hide and, as I have done all summer, I will cooperate fully with the appeal process and provide whatever may be necessary to once again prove my innocence. Since the case is now pending adjudication at CAS, I will not comment further," he wrote.
It all started with WADA's statement: in an official note, the World Anti-Doping Agency announced the appeal on the case involving the ATP No.1, who tested positive for the substance in a test carried out this year at the BNP Paribas in Indian Wells, in which he subsequently lost points and prize money initially collected.
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"The World Anti-Doping Agency confirms that it has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday 26 September in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, who was found by an independent tribunal of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to be without fault or negligence for having tested positive twice for Clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024. WADA believes that the finding of 'no fault or negligence' is not correct under the current rules and is therefore asking for a period of ineligibility of between 1 and 2 years. WADA is not seeking disqualification for any result other than that already imposed by the first instance tribunal. As the matter is now pending before CAS, WADA will not comment further at this time."
