After Jannik Sinner’s stellar year, there’s no doubt he’s garnered a lot of attention in one season alone. Clinching titles at Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati, Shanghai Masters, and the ATP Finals is no easy feat. Adding two Grand Slams at the Australian and US Open showcases his incredible talent. Constant domination on the tour has propelled Sinner to the top of the rankings. But despite all this, Jannik Sinner has received a lot of flak in the last few months.

Sinner’s doping controversy from March 2024 has sparked heated discussions. Two failed dope tests for the banned substance Clostebol stemmed from a massage administered by his former physiotherapist, who used a spray containing clostebol to treat a wound on his own hand, before giving Sinner a massage without gloves. Sinner, however, overcame that period and finished the year as World No. 1. He was crowned ATP’s “Fan Favourite” player of the year as well.

The World No. 1 is now enjoying some well-deserved rest after a hard-fought season. He was last spotted at the F1 race in Abu Dhabi, however, his doping saga continues as he awaits a final verdict from CAS following WADA’s appeal. This ongoing situation has drawn criticism from figures like Nick Kyrgios and has divided fans on social media. While some celebrate Sinner as the “fan favorite,” others express their disagreement.

Sinner’s praise sparks debate among fans calling out doping allegations

Jannik Sinner is trying to maintain his composure during a challenging time. One fan expressed frustration, saying, “Lol, He is the most hated d*per. 🤮” Another fan pointed out what they see as unfair, writing, “TWO drug test failures are really nothing compared to breaking racket 😂.” While Sinner was initially pardoned on the grounds of “no fault or negligence” by the ITIA, he awaits a decision from the CAS that could lead to a ban of over two years. Meanwhile, he has continued competing and winning tournaments. On the other hand, players like Kyrgios and Djokovic faced hefty fines ranging from $113,000 to £6,117 for smashing rackets on the court.

The irony of Sinner’s situation hasn’t gone unnoticed. One user remarked, “Fail a doping test win the fans favorite award, this is how it works?” Despite ongoing scrutiny, some fans question whether the doping incident has had any negative impact on Sinner. One enthusiast wrote, “So ‘that’ incident has zero negative influence on him?” While it may seem that WADA or ITIA pressures haven’t affected his performance or accolades, Jannik has opened up about the physical and mental toll these past months have taken on him. He told Esquire earlier this month, “I [had] sleepless nights because even if you are certain of your innocence, you know that these things are complex.”

But critics have not held back. One user further labeled him as a “d*per” under the aforementioned post. To this, Andy Roddick’s words would find a balance in terms of criticism and clarity. During his Served podcast discussion, Roddick noted, “I wouldn’t go after Sinner cuz I don’t think he knew. I don’t think he’s that dumb. Maybe I’m wrong, we’ll never know. The best player on earth and the worst d*per that’s ever lived.”

Ultimately, whether Sinner will face a ban of up to two years rests with CAS. Currently, the 23-year-old is focused on carrying this season’s momentum to 2025 and adding more Grand Slams to his resume. Are you backing Sinner to win more Grand Slams next year?