Jannik Sinner has made it clear that he’s not letting the looming appeal of his doping case distract him, despite his remarkable success at the Australian Open, where he claimed his third Grand Slam title.
The World No. 1 put on a dominant performance in Melbourne, overcoming Alexander Zverev in straight sets—6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3—to defend his title with impressive ease. This victory marks his third major triumph in just five tournaments, following his earlier wins at the 2024 Australian and US Open.
However, Sinner’s incredible run of success hasn’t been entirely without controversy. His ongoing doping case has cast a shadow over his achievements. The Italian was initially exonerated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after testing positive for clostebol on two occasions in March 2024. The ITIA’s investigation concluded that he was “not at fault.” Yet, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) disagreed with the ruling and filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Should the CAS side with WADA, Sinner could face a suspension of up to two years. The hearing is set for April 16-17, just a few months away.
Despite this, the 23-year-old is determined not to let the case affect his focus on the court. Speaking just hours after his Australian Open victory, Sinner emphasized that he was fully concentrated on celebrating his win, rather than dwelling on the appeal.
“I’m not thinking about this right now,” Sinner said, addressing the media. “I just came off an amazing run here, and I want to enjoy this moment. The hearing’s coming up, and we know the dates—that’s it for now. I’m focused on this victory, and that’s all I care about at the moment.”
He further explained his clear mindset, insisting that he wouldn’t be playing at such a high level if he had anything to hide. “What happened, happened. I’ve always said that I play with a clear mind. If I knew I was guilty, I wouldn’t be able to perform like this.”
While acknowledging the stress the situation has caused, Sinner remains optimistic. “Of course, there are days when I wish this problem didn’t exist, but I’m always focused on the next match. I’m looking forward to getting back on the court, taking time off to rest my body and mind, and then improving again.”
Looking ahead, Sinner is set to compete at the Rotterdam Open from February 3-9, where he’ll aim to defend his title. Heading into the ATP 500 tournament, the Italian is on an impressive 21-match win streak and is once again the top seed. He will face stiff competition, including World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and World No. 7 Daniil Medvedev, but with his recent form, Sinner is widely considered the favorite.