It has been quite an eventful year for Jannik Sinner. While he won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, the Italian star was also embroiled in a doping controversy that took all the limelight before the US Open. Sinner tested positive for a banned substance, Clostebol, but avoided punishment after providing a satisfactory explanation of his failed tests to an Independent Tribunal. Nonetheless, Sinner faced heat from a section of tennis bigwigs like Nick Kyrgios. Hours ago, even Roger Federer had something to say about the recent doping controversy.

During an interview with TODAY, Federer said, “It’s not something we want to see in our sport, these types of news, regardless if he did something or not, or any player did. It’s just noise that we don’t want. I understand it’s a tricky situation. It’s the nightmare of every athlete and team to have these allegations and these problems because we fill out these forms all day every day.”

In a sensational turn of events, it was revealed that Sinner’s samples during his Indian Wells stint were found to contain Clostebol, a banned substance. However, an independent tribunal cleared Sinner of any charges after he explained that he had come in contact with that substance through a spray applied by his physio to treat his own wound. After applying the spray, the physio treated Sinner without gloves and that’s how the world no. 1 came in contact with the banned substance, as per his explanation.

The tribunal found the explanation satisfactory and the Italian star only faced points and prize money deductions from the Indian Wells tournament. Although Sinner was let off by the ITIA, the decision divided the tennis community on this ruling. Many in the tennis world, including Nick Kyrgios, felt that Sinner should have been banned.

Nick Kyrgios slams ‘ridiculous’ ruling in the doping case of Jannik Sinner

Interestingly, Kyrgios is working as a commentator for ESPN during the ongoing US Open. The Australian star was one among those who massively criticized Sinner over his doping fiasco. But despite the Aussie slamming him, Sinner was unfazed by the possibility of getting interviewed by him at the US Open.

Talking about Sinner escaping a ban, Kyrgios wrote on X, “Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned (steroid) substance… you should be gone for 2 years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…. Yeah, nice.”

However, Sinner defended himself and remained unconcerned by Kyrgios’ brutal reaction over his failed tests. He responded to the Australian star by saying, “I don’t want to respond on what he said. Everyone is free to say everything, so it’s OK. If that is the case, let’s see. It’s going to be different, for sure, but I don’t know.” Later when the World No. 1 was asked how he would react if he were interviewed by Kyrgios during the US Open, Sinner seemed open to the idea, however, he admitted it would be “different.”

Sinner hasn’t let outside noise affect him at the ongoing US Open. He is into the quarterfinals and will take on Daniil Medvedev in the last eight. Can Sinner overcome the doping controversy and emerge victorious in New York? Let us know your views in the comments below.