2024 Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner is dealing with the fallout from his doping controversy. The 23-year-old Sinner failed two drug tests in March. Unlike Simona Halep, who struggled for over a year to get her case heard and ruled upon, Sinner managed to get his case heard and litigated in record time to prove his innocence.
The court of public opinion has been rough on him. The World No. 1 attempted to take control of the narrative by firing the two staff members deemed responsible for his failed drug tests: fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi.
Jannik Sinner’s Story
Jannik Sinner and his coach, Darren Cahill, contend that Sinner was accidentally contaminated with a banned substance. The substance, Clostebol, was contained in an over-the-counter spray used on Naldi’s cut finger. Ferrara purchased the spray in Italy and gave it to Naldi to heal his finger.
Naldi massaged Sinner. Trace amounts of the Clostebol from the spray for the injured finger were absorbed into Sinner’s bloodstream two times. The trace amount was defined as .000000001.
Neither Sinner nor Cahill was aware that the spray contained a banned substance. Both were shocked to learn of his failed drug tests. At that time, they became aware of the spray’s contents.
Jannik Sinner’s Scrutiny Is Out In Full Force
Despite being found innocent by the appropriate governing body, Sinner’s escape from what could have been a two-year suspension irritated some of his peers.
Canadian Denis Shapovalov spoke out on social media about the double standard. Australian Nick Kyrgios believed he should have already been serving his suspension. (Sinner learned of both test results during 13 days between April 4 and 17.)
Why Did Jannik Sinner Wait To Fire Ferrara and Naldi?
Sinner’s team has been dealing with this situation since April. Once they determined how he received a banned substance, wouldn’t it have been logical to fire Ferrara and Naldi then? Instead, Sinner kept them on his team for the rest of the spring and summer until deciding to fire them right before the US Open.
There is no doubt both should have been fired for their carelessness. Paying them for an extra four months before firing them makes zero sense. It is almost as if Jannik Sinner wanted to pull the firing news out of his back pocket at the press conference to give the story a new spin.
What is Jannik Sinner’s Legacy?
He is the Australian Open champion. Sinner is Italy’s first World No. 1 singles player. It is a catastrophic blow for a player who seems so likable and, up until now, has a great reputation and character.
Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep claimed similar defenses when they failed drug tests. Both served suspension periods and received mixed fan reception when they returned to the game.
Sinner’s fan reception at next week’s US Open will be interesting. He has a group of faithful fans called the Carota Boys. They travel to all of his tournaments, wear orange costumes, and cheer loudly for Sinner.
Will the Carota Boys be visible at the US Open? Will the ESPN cameras show them on television?
Jannik Sinner won last week’s Cincinnati Open. He was projected to be a frontrunner to win the US Open. The mental toll of this news breaking while he is trying to prepare could be catastrophic for his efforts to win his second Grand Slam of the year.
How will other players react to Sinner now that they heard the news? Halep and Sharapova dealt with backlash from their peers long after they served their time.
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