Italy’s Davis Cup Champ Jannik Sinner ‘Heartbroken’ by Doping Accusations

World number one Jannik Sinner described his off-court struggles with doping accusations as “heartbreaking” after leading Italy to a Davis Cup victory on Sunday, capping an outstanding year. The 23-year-old had a stellar season, winning the Australian Open, US Open, and ATP Finals before helping Italy secure their second consecutive Davis Cup title. Despite his successes, Sinner admitted that the doping allegations still weigh on his mind.

Sinner is awaiting the result of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) appeal against his initial clearance after testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

Sinner acknowledged that the situation affects him mentally but emphasized the support of those around him. He expressed gratitude for the trust and support from his close circle, which helped him maintain his high level of play despite feeling emotionally low and heartbroken.

Following Italy’s victory over the Netherlands in the final, Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis remarked on the complexity of doping cases, noting that it’s difficult to fully understand the situation from an outside perspective. He praised Sinner as a great player and person but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the doping case.

Sinner had previously told the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that the traces of clostebol found in his system were due to contamination from a member of his staff using an over-the-counter spray to treat a wound. The ITIA accepted Sinner’s explanation, avoiding a lengthy ban, but WADA has appealed and is seeking a suspension of one to two years.

Remarkably, Sinner became the first player since Roger Federer in 2005 to go through a season without losing a set. He secured Italy’s Davis Cup victory by defeating Tallon Griekspoor in the second singles match, following Matteo Berrettini’s win over Botic van de Zandschulp in the opener.

Sinner expressed his joy at winning the Davis Cup again, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the entire team. Berrettini, who had an impressive tournament himself, praised Sinner’s performance and humble nature, noting the special experience of watching him play and his powerful, unique style.