As Jannik Sinner’s 2024 season concludes, his final verdict from CAS inches closer. Despite a stellar season of clinching eight ATP titles, including two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and US Open, he faced his challenges off the court. Having ended the year as World No. 1, Sinner is eager to move into the 2025 season with a positive frame of mind, however, his biggest challenge still awaits a final answer.

In March, just before the Miami Open, Sinner tested positive for Clostebol, a banned substance. However, he claimed the substance entered his system through a spray used by his physiotherapist to treat a cut on his hand. While he was initially cleared by the ITIA on grounds of no fault or negligence, WADA appealed the decision in October during the Asian swing. Now, the World No. 1 faces the possibility of a ban of up to two years.

Recently, Tim Fuller, a Brisbane lawyer with experience in doping cases, shared his thoughts with the Sydney Morning Herald. He expressed skepticism about Sinner’s chances of escaping a sanction. He said, “I believe that the decision of not guilty or negligent will be overturned on appeal and a sanction will be imposed.” This highlights the complexities athletes face in doping cases, where intent does not guarantee immunity. However, Fuller noted that Sinner’s situation is “unusual.”

“WADA accepts that the intake of the substance, Clostebol, was not an intentional action. But it maintains that the athlete had a certain degree of fault or negligence for what happened,” he added. So while Sinner claims being in the unknown about his physiotherapist’s use of the spray, he will still be held accountable to an extent and will ultimately face some repercussions for it.

In a similar vein, WTA star Iga Swiatek recently faced her own doping controversy after testing positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication. She claimed it was unintentional, as she used it for sleep issues and jet lag. Despite her explanation, she received a one-month suspension and a fine in August. In contrast to Swiatek’s case, Sinner’s fate remains uncertain until CAS delivers its verdict. As Fuller stated, “What will be examined is the degree of guilt or negligence. Therefore we are talking about a sanction of one or two years.”

For now, Sinner has concluded his 2024 season and aims to carry the momentum into next year. Although he rarely discusses his experience through this doping controversy, he recently opened up about its impact on his physical and mental well-being.

Sinner on how he’s lost sleep over the pressure of his doping controversy

Jannik Sinner may seem calm and collected on the court, but he has faced significant stress since testing positive for a banned substance in March 2024. When WADA announced they had appealed against the ITIA’s decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), Sinner said, “We cannot control everything. Obviously, I’m very disappointed and also surprised.” Now, during a chat with Esquire on December 3, he reflected on the toll this situation took on him, describing this period as a “tough time.”

Despite battling injuries and illness that affected his performance, Sinner admitted that the doping saga weighed heavily on him. He felt isolated, saying, “I couldn’t talk to anyone about it. I couldn’t vent or get help.” This internal struggle impacted his game at the China Open, where he lost a hard-fought final to Carlos Alcaraz. He shared, “I [had] sleepless nights because even if you are certain of your innocence, you know that these things are complex.” Thankfully, support from the tennis community helped him, as he added “Everyone immediately told the truth and that allowed me to play.”

However, there were challenging moments too. At Wimbledon, when the controversy first erupted, Sinner felt “white” with fear and anxiety. This was seen during his quarterfinal match against Daniil Medvedev, as he ultimately lost after a grueling five sets. He recalled entering training at the Cincinnati clubhouse and worrying about how others perceived him.

During this time, criticism from players like Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov added to his stress. They argued Sinner received unfair leniency compared to others suspended for similar offenses, which left the Italian “fearful.” Now, as he prepares for the 2025 season, Sinner is focusing on surrounding himself with trusted teammates and focusing on improving his performance level. Do you think Jannik Sinner will be able to defend his Australian Open title next year? Let us know in the comments below.