Jannik Sinner not ‘comfortable’ as doping case clouds Shanghai campaign

SHANGHAI – World No. 1 Jannik Sinner said on Oct 4 he was not in a “comfortable” situation as his doping case drags on, but insisted that he felt ready for his first match at the Shanghai Masters.

Last week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) said it would appeal against a decision by tennis authorities to clear the Italian of wrongdoing after he twice tested positive for a steroid in March.

The 23-year-old fought through the controversy to win the US Open in September, and also reach the final of the China Open in Beijing on Oct 2, when he lost to arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz.

“It’s not in a situation where I feel comfortable in it, that’s for sure, because I thought it was over... so it’s not easy,” said Sinner, when asked at a press conference if the pressure of the appeal was affecting him.

In August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Sinner’s explanation that the drug clostebol entered his system unintentionally when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut, then provided massage and sports therapy to the player.

But Wada said on Sept 28 that it had appealed and was seeking a ban of up to two years.

“I had three hearings, which went my way, which was good, but now let’s see. But I’m very confident that it comes out very positively,” Sinner added.

He now has to turn his attention to the Shanghai Masters, where he could end up facing Alcaraz again.

“We are quite similar as human beings off the court,” said the Italian, as he tried to focus on tennis.

“Obviously, on the court we try to meet, we try to put on a big fight... he pushes me to do better, which is something good.”

Sinner will face Japan’s 93rd-ranked Taro Daniel in his tournament opener on Oct 5.

“I had my first practice session just now. I just finished, so I feel good. I feel recovered,” he said.

Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas served sweet revenge after months of bad form, when he defeated Japan’s Kei Nishikori in straight sets to advance to the third round in Shanghai.

Tsitsipas – who suffered a shock defeat by Nishikori in Montreal in August – battled through two tight sets to win 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.

“I’m glad of the win,” he said on court afterwards, adding he had shown “great fighting spirit” towards the end.

“I’m pleased I managed to overcome the obstacle of Kei.”

The Greek, once ranked third in the world, has slipped out of the ATP top 10 in recent months to now stand at 12th.

Earlier in the day, Americans Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul also booked places in the third round without too much trouble. Shelton beat Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-5, while Paul took out Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-3.

At the WTA China Open in Beijing, Karolina Muchova ended top seed Aryna Sabalenka’s 15-match winning streak in the quarter-finals, saving two set points in the first set and coming from 4-2 down in the third to win 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-4.

In other news, Iga Swiatek has parted ways with her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski after three years, the Polish five-time Grand Slam champion said on Oct 4.

Wiktorowski, who previously coached former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, joined Swiatek’s team before the 2022 season and has been with her during four of her five Slam wins, including three French Open victories.

“Our main goal was to become the No. 1 player in the world and coach Wiktorowski was the one who said it first,” world No. 1 Swiatek wrote on Instagram.

“Coach, thank you, I wish you all the best.” AFP, REUTERS