Jannik Sinner claims that the prospect of a doping ban would have hindered his ability to win the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old Italian says he could not have won back-to-back Melbourne titles if he did not have a “clear mind” that he had done nothing wrong.
After testing positive for the banned substance clostebol in April, Sinner was found not guilty of any wrongdoing by an independent panel.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) filed an appeal against the ruling and is requesting a one- to two-year suspension.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) will hear the case from April 16 to April, just before the French Open officially begins.
On Sunday, Sinner defeated second-seeded Germany Alexander Zverev in straight sets, but he claimed the uncertainty surrounding his future “did not really” propel him to victory at Melbourne Park.
“I keep playing like this because I have a clear mind on what happened”, Sinner said.
“If I know if I would be guilty, I would not play like this, and that’s it.
During the Indian Wells tournament in March 2024, Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol, a steroid that can be used to increase muscle mass.
He successfully argued that his physiotherapist had accidentally accidentally contaminated him with clostebol by claiming that his urine test revealed no evidence of the substance.
Sinner had provided a” credible “explanation,” and the ITIA accepted that there was no “fault or negligence” attached to him.
Wada does not question the player’s explanation of how the substance ended up in his system, but Wada thinks the independent panel’s finding that Sinner had no fault or negligence is “not correct under the applicable rules.”
” I still believe every time]the ruling] came out in a very positive way, and I still believe it’s going to be that case, “Sinner added.
” At the moment I’m not thinking about this.
“Of course, you will have those days where you think I should not have this issue.
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