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BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sinner considered quitting tennis during doping case
World number one Jannik Sinner considered walking away from tennis during his doping case, stating he "didn't feel comfortable" as players looked at him "differently" during the Australian 23-year-old Italian returned two positive tests for banned substance clostebol in March 2024 and accepted a three-month ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency in February, just weeks after successfully defending his crown in Melbourne."I remember before the Australian Open this year, I was not in a very happy moment because there was still that case of doping," Sinner told Italian broadcaster RAI."I didn't really feel comfortable in the locker room, where I ate. It was a bit like some players looked at me differently and I didn't like it at all. "I felt like being in tennis, with that atmosphere, was too much. I was always someone who joked about, who went in the dressing room speaking with whoever, but it became different. I wasn't at ease."I didn't feel comfortable and then I said, maybe after Australia, a little bit of free time, in the sense where I take a little break, it will do me good." Sinner had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent panel, but Wada launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), seeking a ban of up to two he reached a settlement with the anti-doping agency for a shorter sanction and is expected to make his comeback at the Italian Open (6-18 May) in Rome after his ban expires on 5 acknowledged Sinner did not gain any competitive advantage from the banned substance, and that he bore no fault for an accidental ban was criticised by some in the tennis world, with 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams stating she would have received a 20-year ban and had her titles "taken away".Former British number one Tim Henman labelled the agreement "too convenient", while three-time Swiss Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka said he "did not believe in clean sport anymore".However, Sinner defended his position as he added: "I don't want to respond to criticism. People are free to say what they want and judge people. "What matters to me is that I known what I've been through. It was difficult and I wouldn't wish anyone to go through that as an innocent person."
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Swiatek beats Noskova to reach last 16 in Madrid
World number two Iga Swiatek made it eight wins in a row at the Madrid Open, beating Linda Noskova to reach the last defending champion and 2023 finalist - who is still chasing her first title of the year - won 6-4 6-2 against her Czech opponent, who famously defeated her at the 2024 Australian 23-year-old Pole had to dig deep to beat teenager Alexandra Eala from the Philippines in the previous round in this time she looked more fluent as she came through in one hour and 17 next challenge will be a first match against 13th seed Diana Shnaider of Russia, who did not drop a game in her encounter with Latvia's Anastasija duo Coco Gauff and Madison Keys also made it through to the last 16 thanks to straight-set the fourth seed, defeated compatriot Ann Li 6-2 6-3 while Australian Open champion Keys, the fifth seed, was a 7-5 7-6 (7-3) winner over Russian 30th seed Anna Kalinskaya.
BBC News
26-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Clear mind' over doping case helped Sinner win Melbourne title
Jannik Sinner says the possibility of a doping ban ruling him out of upcoming Grand Slam tournaments did not provide extra motivation to win the Australian 23-year-old Italian says he could not have won back-to-back Melbourne titles if he did not have a "clear mind" that he had done nothing was cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent panel after testing positive for banned substance clostebol in World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) appealed against the decision and is seeking a ban of between one and two world number one will have his case heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) from 16-17 April, just over a month before the French Open beat German second seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets on Sunday but said the uncertainty around his future did "not really" drive him to win again at Melbourne Park."I keep playing like this because I have a clear mind on what happened," Sinner said."If I know if I would be guilty, I would not play like this, and that's it."I just came off an amazing run again here. I want to enjoy this moment." Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol - a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass - during the Indian Wells tournament in March did not dispute traces of clostebol were found in his urine test and successfully argued that he had been inadvertently contaminated with the substance by his ITIA accepted there was "no fault or negligence" attached to Sinner and he had provided a "credible" is not questioning the player's explanation of why the substance ended up in his system, but believes the independent panel's finding that Sinner held no fault or negligence is "not correct under the applicable rules"."I still believe every time [the ruling] came out in a very positive way, and I still believe it's going to be that case," Sinner added."At the moment I'm not thinking about this. "Of course, you have your moments of certain days where you feel like I wish I would not have this problem. "In the other way, I'm always looking forward to go on court."
