Jannik Sinner has certainly showcased his dominance on the American hard courts this season, with back-to-back victories at the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open. However, even as the Italian dynamo basks in his success, the shadow of the ongoing doping saga continues to loom large. It’s a controversy that just won’t fade, and the pressure on Sinner is mounting with every passing day. Amidst these turbulent times, all Sinner seeks is support, and who better to turn to than his fellow countryman, former tennis pro Paolo Bertolucci?

The Italian tennis dynamo tested positive for low levels of clostebol in his body during the Indian Wells this season. However, during the investigation, Sinner claimed that the substance was passed into his body by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, who used it to treat a wound on his finger. However, since he massaged Sinner without a pair of gloves, the tennis player also got contaminated. The ITIA found the explanation satisfactory and allowed Sinner to participate in the US Open. However, the misery is not yet over for the star player. 

As reported by the Italian publication Corriere della Sera, “The case is not closed.” From Montreal, the headquarters of the agency, Wada has announced that it considers the case to be open based on ”a paragraph of Article 13.2 of the Anti-Doping Code (13.2.3.5, reserved for the Agency alone and not for example Nado Italia) that allows it to start the 21-day deadline for appeal from the moment it receives additional documentation on the case.” But amidst the challenging times, the Italian player is receiving the support of his fellow countryman, Bertolucci.

Speaking to CorrieredelloSport, an Italian sports newspaper, the former pro said, “There will be talk, because then it won’t end here even if I hope so.” He also wished for the case to be dropped soon and suggested that WADA should not pick it up anymore. “Let’s also hope that Wada doesn’t go ahead. In short, there are still many small things that are external, because then you see who the player is on the court, while the boy you see from his behavior and statements.” Remember, despite the ruling of the ITIA that went in Sinner’s favor, the tennis star has often found himself wrapped in controversy.

 

 

Among the people who have taken sharp digs at Sinner are the likes of Nick Kyrgios, and Carlos Alcaraz. However, the 23-year-old has maintained his calm, remained stoic, and expressed that he does not wish to respond to his critics. However, Bertolucci is not the only Italian player to have expressed their support for Sinner. 

When Jannik Sinner received support from Matteo Berrettini amid challenging times  

Jannik Sinner has amassed an immense fanbase with his performance, and this also includes a lot of former and current tennis players. It is for this reason that despite the controversy, Sinner managed to get some support from the tennis community, including his compatriot Matteo Berrettini. 

Berrettini engaged in an interview with Sky Sports ahead of his US Open campaign and expressed his confidence in Sinner, claiming that he is indeed innocent. Chatting in the interview, Berrettini reflected on the tough times that the World No. 1 is undergoing. “I saw something different in his eyes, maybe less joy than usual. It’s impressive how he’s handled it all, he’s achieved great results despite the situation.” Continuing further, he added, “It’s impressive how he’s handled it all, he’s achieved great results despite the situation.”

As the intense pressure continues to increase for Sinner, the support he is receiving from his fellow countrymen will definitely give him confidence. For now, it would be interesting to see if he can continue his impressive performance despite the critical situation.