“We’ve had a couple of high-profile doping cases this season with Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. And the one thing I didn’t like was the lack of transparency in those two cases,” said broadcaster and former player Jason Goodall earlier this week. Ever since the unexpected controversy surrounding Swiatek and Sinner struck the tennis world, there’s been a clear division among notable figures. So far, names like Rick Macci, Andy Roddick, and Hasek-Watt have come forward in support of them. On the other hand, players like Nick Kyrgios, Eugenie Bouchard, and Yevgeny Kafelnikov have questioned their integrity. But then, some of the ex-pros have chosen to be tight-lipped.

In an episode of the Kick Serve Radio podcast, dated December 21, former World No.4 and ex-American player Jimmy Arias was asked to share his thoughts on Sinner’s overall journey in 2024 and his rise to the top-spot. The host Andy Zodin also asked Jimmy about the Italian’s doping case. Arias said, “I did have the feeling he was going to end the year number one in the world, had you asked me, at the start of 2024, just the way he ended 2023 and the game that he brings and the attitude that he seems to espouse when he’s getting ready for matches and after matches.” Continuing further, he added, “He’s number one in the world now. He still talks about, I need to keep getting better. I need to keep improving.”

Arias tried to imply that Jannik Sinner is nearly indomitable right now. “He’s not all about just winning or not. And his game, I don’t know how you beat him, to be honest, when he’s playing well. He moves so well, he takes the ball pretty early and hits it like a rocket ship. And now he’s added a better serve and he’s coming to the net and he’s doing everything. So obviously, I guess it’s a surprise, a pleasant surprise for him,” But when it came to the doping case, the ex-pro chose to be tight-lipped.

“Other issue, as you mentioned, it’s a little bit strange,” Arias said. He didn’t seem to want to dive deeper into the entire controversial aspect, which was evident from his response. “We’ve had Iga Swiatek and Sinner with some very minute things in their system that shouldn’t be there, but there didn’t really seem to be ramifications to it,” he added. “So I’m not sure what I think about that, to be honest”, he concluded and remained tight-lipped.

On the other hand, some former pros are very clear on which side they are. Take for example Filippo Volandri, a former ATP pro and Sinner’s compatriot. He believes Fox is fully innocent in the doping scandal.

Filippo Volandri comes forward in support of Jannik Sinner amid doping controversy

For the unversed, Sinner tested positive earlier this year for a banned substance clostebol. However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s independent panel found no major fault or negligence on his part. In fact, the ITIA’s verdict mentioned that Jannik came in contact with Clostebol by accident. It happened when his physiotherapist used a spray to treat his own wound before giving Sinner a massage without gloves. After ITIA’s verdict, Sinner wasn’t punished with a major suspension and continued to play in ATP events across the season.

Now, his compatriot and ex-pro Volandri has raised his voice for Sinner. While defending the two-time Grand Slam winner’s integrity, Filippo said, “I don’t even want to think about a possible disqualification of Sinner, given his honesty and the irrefutable evidence he has provided. But if there is a person with broad shoulders, it is Jannik. A disqualification would be the greatest injustice in history.” Remember, Sinner had to pay a big fine due to the doping case even if he was allowed to play. The World No.1 paid a hefty sum of $325,000 from his prize money along with losing 400 ranking points.

Speaking of Sinner’s mindset following the controversy, he seems to have realized who his true well-wishers are. After getting a clean chit from the independent tribunal, he revealed, “I believe nothing happens by chance.”

“Maybe this happened to help me understand who my real friends are and who are not. I now see the difference clearly,” Volandri further added. According to him, the entire situation shocked him in more ways than one. “I realized there are players I didn’t think were my friends, but they actually are. At the same time, there are others I thought were friends, but they are not,” he said.

While Sinner has received criticism and support in equal proportions, a potential ban is still looming over his head with WADA having appealed against the ITIA’s decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). It will be interesting to see if the Italian remains unfazed as he makes his way to Melbourne to defend his Australian Open crown.