‘Sinner the winner’. Sounds cheeky, but it’s what we’ve got this year. The Italian superstar topped off his dream year by leading Italy to its second consecutive Davis Cup title and, although the celebrations have just begun, his countryman has heaped praise on Jannik Sinner before he can finally seal the season after overcoming ups and downs with his humility and perseverance.

The young talent burst open on the tour with his calm, yet, feisty on-court demeanor this year. He clinched his first Grand Slam silverware in Melbourne, commencing a new chapter for. He captured 8 tour-level titles and his second Major in New York. Sinner did not hold back his athletic finesse at the Saudi Six Kings Slam exhibition event as he pocketed the biggest paycheque in the sport’s history. When naysayers thought his reign was done for, the 23-year-old lifted the season-ending ATP Finals without dropping a set.

He then jetted to Malaga for the Davis Cup Final 8 and a few days after Spanish legend Rafael Nadal retired at the event’s arena, Sinner helped his team Italy to defeat Netherlands 2-0 for a double-peat this year. However, he wasn’t the only teammate responsible for the triumph. His countryman Matteo Berrettini displayed incredible chemistry with the World No. 1 and also, aggressively downed Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2 in the opening tie. Upon winning, Berrettini couldn’t help but narrate his compatriot’s laudable mentality and labeled him as the “best player in the world” when he talked to the reporters.

He said, “He just proved that he’s the best player in the world & as you can see, he’s the most humble guy on the planet. He came here like he didn’t win the ATP Finals and everything that he won, showed so much respect for the team. This is special. This is something you have in your heart. Obviously, the tennis is impressive but I think the way he manages everything off court & his relationships with people is what makes him special, and why we have two Davis Cup trophies now.” 

However, not everything has had a positive impact on Sinner. His doping nightmare from this summer still haunts him as the Italian sensation dropped a candid admission on the situation after bagging the title in Malaga.

Jannik Sinner ‘heartbroken’ over doping accusations at the Davis Cup

Italian star Jannik Sinner had to deal with a rollercoaster of a season after he twice tested positive for a banned substance, clostebol, during his Indian Wells campaign. Despite dodging a doping ban after an international tribunal found ‘no guilt or negligence’ on Sinner’s part, the young talent is still anxious about WADA’s final appeal result in February. Moreover, he’s been constantly catching flak from fans over his doping accusations. Players like Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov criticized the Italian after he evaded legal ramifications.

During a post-match presser in Malaga, he told the reporters: “Of course, it’s in the head a little bit. The most important part is all the people who are around me, who know me as a human being trust me — that’s also why I kept playing the level I have. Those who know me, I was emotionally a bit down, a bit heartbroken. Sometimes life gives you difficulties and you just have to (deal with) it.”

With his calendar for the season officially concluded, Sinner can now kick back and relax. After spending quality time with his loved ones, the Italian will look to prep for the upcoming season and, with it, aim to defend his title in Melbourne.