World No. 1 Jannik Sinner described feeling “fragile” upon studying of his three-month doping ban, which he believes was “a bit unfair,” although he acknowledged it may have been worse.
“When the ban was imposed in Doha, I felt fragile. But the support from those around me helped me get back on my feet, even though it was incredibly tough,” Sinner advised Sky Italia.
“I didn’t fully agree with the ban or the compromise. In the end, you have to choose the lesser of two evils, even if what I’m going through feels a bit unfair. It could have been worse, with even greater injustice.”
Sinner examined optimistic for the anabolic agent clostebol in March 2024, however he averted additional sanctions after explaining the substance entered his system by way of an over-the-counter product his physiotherapist used to deal with a small hand damage.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the unique ruling from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in search of a two-year ban.
Sinner then agreed in February to a three-month ban, which can run till May 4, after WADA acknowledged that he was inadvertently contaminated with the substance and did not intend to cheat.
The ruling was criticized by some gamers as too lenient.
“I was very fragile at the beginning. I’m not a person without feelings, but you keep learning in life. The players who spoke badly about me? I know I’m innocent, but it was tough,” Sinner mentioned.
Sinner is eligible to play once more in early May and is about to return for the Italian Open, with the Hamburg Open additionally on his schedule earlier than the May 25 begin of the French Open.
“Did I count the days? I’ve been doing that since the first day of my ban,” Sinner mentioned.
Sinner’s final occasion was his back-to-back Australian Open titles in January, and he mentioned he’s coaching laborious for his comeback.
“The break was a good opportunity to improve in the areas where I was struggling – on the surfaces that are more difficult for me. I feel better every day – both physically and mentally,” Sinner mentioned.
Source: www.dailysabah.com