Doping scandal 'tainted' Jannik Sinner's promising career, claims former world number one

Former world number one Jimmy Connors believes that the doping scandal has left Italy’s Jannik Sinner’s promising career ‘tainted’. The 23-year-old, who is widely regarded as the best player currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category, has been in the news for the wrong reasons after he tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in two doping tests in March last year.

Sinner, miraculously managed to escape any ban as The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) declared him innocent following a detailed hearing where his counsel claimed that the substance was available in the player’s sample because one member of the coaching staff had received a cream for the treatment of an injury.

Read also

"Just say it was your team's fault": Nick Kyrgios targets Jannik Sinner’s doping scandal in response to Muller

WADA appealed against the ITIA’s verdict in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and demanded a two-year ban for the three-time Grand Slam winner. However, the issue finally came to a conclusion on Saturday as WADA announced that they had reached an agreement with Sinner, which will result in the player remaining out of action for three months. Former world number one Connors has been recently quoted in a report where he stated that the scandal will leave Sinner’s promising career ‘tainted’.

Read also

"Three-month ban was appropriate": WADA 'pleased' with handling of Jannik Sinner doping case

“Well, all I know is tennis is better with Sinner in it. It’s a lot better with him in it,” he said. “And for him to be away from the game and not playing at a top level and not creating the interest that he does, is not good for the game. But, you know, it’s a shame that, you know, that that’s kind of crept into the game right now. And it’s taken away from a guy who, over the past 18 months, has had an unbelievable run, a great stretch of wins and exciting tennis and great for his career and even great for the game. And it’s taken away from a guy who, over the past 18 months, has had an unbelievable run, a great stretch of wins and exciting tennis and great for his career and even great for the game. And to have that tainted a little bit like that.”

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe