US Open 2024: Nadal Stands by Sinner Amid Banned Substance Controversy

Former US Open champion Rafael Nadal has voiced his support for Jannik Sinner, despite the Italian testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year. Sinner, who advanced to the US Open quarterfinals on Tuesday (September 3) by defeating Tommy Paul of the United States 7-6, 7-6, 6-1, has been defended by Nadal, who believes that Sinner would never intentionally engage in doping. Although the 23-year-old was found guilty, he was not charged by tennis authorities before the US Open.

Nadal expressed his confidence in Sinner during an interview on the Spanish television show “El Hormiguero,” stating, “I have a virtue or a deficit, which is that in the end, I usually believe in people’s good faith. I know Sinner, and I don’t believe that he ever wanted to dope.”

Nadal added, “I don’t think we should only be satisfied when outcomes align with our expectations. In the end, justice is justice, and I believe in it. I trust that the decision-making bodies act based on what they believe is right.”

In March, Sinner tested positive for clostebol, a banned steroid used to build muscle. However, he explained that a team member had applied the substance to their own hand before treating him, resulting in the substance being transferred through contact. Sinner later dismissed the team members involved, which led to his troubles.

Sinner now faces Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals, with a place in the semifinals at stake. In his match against Tommy Paul, Sinner displayed his top form, winning the first two sets in tiebreaks and dominating the final set. The quarterfinal match against Medvedev will be a rematch of the 2024 Australian Open final, where Sinner triumphed over Novak Djokovic on his way to defeating the Russian in a marathon match to claim his first Grand Slam title.