Jannik Sinner departs Melbourne with rising recognition as a possible tennis nice however now faces a doping listening to at sport’s highest courtroom that would lead to a ban of as much as two years.
The Italian swept previous Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 Sunday in a conflict of the highest seeds to win back-to-back Australian Opens and shore up his standing because the runaway world No. 1.
He additionally received the U.S. Open final 12 months, quick constructing a case for greatness.
But the 23-year-old’s profession has been dogged for the previous 9 months by a significant doping scandal that ought to quickly attain its conclusion.
He twice examined constructive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March final 12 months however was cleared by an impartial tribunal of wrongdoing.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and is searching for a ban of as much as two years.
The Italian, who denies knowingly doping, can have his listening to on April 16-17.
Sinner says that the drug entered his system when his physio used a twig containing it to deal with a reduce, then supplied therapeutic massage and sports activities remedy to the participant.
Sinner, who’s on a staggering 21-match win streak, mentioned he was clear in himself that he was harmless however has admitted the case isn’t removed from his thoughts.
One of his two coaches, Darren Cahill, mentioned in Melbourne that “nobody’s bulletproof” however that Sinner “deals with it as well as anybody that I’ve ever seen deal with pressure.”
“I think to a large extent he finds playing tennis matches to be his safe place,” Cahill added.
“That’s the place he can go and do his factor and really feel like that is what he is aware of, that is what he understands, that is what he is good at.
“It’s become a home for him to step on to the court and play tennis.”
Aiming for extra
The subsequent Grand Slam of the 12 months is the French Open, which begins in May, a month after the CAS listening to.
Sinner is the undoubted king of arduous courts however he has but to transcend the semifinals on the clay of Roland Garros or on the grass of Wimbledon.
“It’s for sure one thing I always think about,” Sinner mentioned after his newest Australian Open triumph.
“You must be an entire participant, not just one floor, however on additionally the opposite two.
“I consider final 12 months was not a foul season in any respect on clay and likewise on grass. I can do higher, sure, however let’s have a look at.
“On hard court, I feel more comfortable. I think that we can see,” he added after changing into the youngest man to go back-to-back at Melbourne Park since Jim Courier in 1993.
“But I take it as constructive as a result of on the opposite surfaces I nonetheless have to enhance, I’ve to see the way it works.
“I’m going to put a lot of energy in that, trying to find the right ways, and hopefully to go far also in the other Grand Slams that are not played on hard court.”
Another Djokovic?
Sinner’s different coach, Simone Vagnozzi, identified that Sinner nonetheless has loads of time to stake his case for greatness given his age.
He is 14 years youthful than 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who remains to be taking part in.
Zverev referred to as Sinner “prime Novak” after being nicely crushed in Sunday’s last.
Now-retired fellow greats Roger Federer (20 Slams) and Rafael Nadal (22) additionally saved going till their mid to late 30s.
“He has already won three (major) tournaments. You never know what will happen in the future, but for sure he is the guy that tries to improve every day,” mentioned Vagnozzi.
“So I feel he is one of many guys that may attain the highest stage. I imply, after we talk about high stage, we take into consideration Novak, about Roger or Rafa.
“We are still a long way, but for sure (he) is one of the guys that can try to reach this kind of player.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com