John Isner surprised as Jannik Sinner wins ATP Fan Favourite Award despite controversy: “I thought maybe that could’ve hurt him”

John Isner admitted his surprise after Jannik Sinner won the ATP Fan Favourite Award. World No. 1 Sinner claimed eight titles this season, including his maiden Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and US Open, finishing the year on a high with strong fan support.

Sinner, however, was at the centre of controversy earlier this year after testing positive for a banned substance in March at Indian Wells. The Italian disclosed the news in August – shortly before his US Open triumph – and faced significant criticism in the tennis world after avoiding suspension.

Sinner crowned ATP Fan Favourite despite polarising 2024

After winning the award, Sinner thanked the fans for voting for him to win the award for the second consecutive year. “I just wanted to thank all the fans around the world for voting for me,” said Sinner at the time. “It means so much to me because the votes are coming from all of you, so it means even more."

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“You are the reason why I love to play tennis. This support has been amazing throughout this whole season, so thank you so much again," the 2-time Grand Slam champion added.

Former world No. 8 John Isner recently commented on his Nothing Majors podcast - with Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson and Jack Sock - that he was surprised that despite being embroiled in controversy, Isner has once again been voted the fan favorite. “I am a little bit surprised,” said Isner.

“Because you know he was, it wasn’t of course his personality but his 2024 was a bit polarising because I know some stuff went with him and went on with that positive test that he was cleared of,” John Isner added. “So a lot of people were, you know, not fans of that – Nick Kyrgios being one of them. So I thought maybe that could’ve hurt him a little bit in this as far as fan favourite goes but it didn’t, and kudos to him.”

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Meanwhile, Sinner awaits his 2025 season debut at the upcoming Australian Open in mid-January. The Italian will seek to defend his title while awaiting the outcome of WADA's appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), which seeks to have Sinner face a sanction of between one and two years. In any case, the resolution will not come before February, so his participation at Melbourne is not at risk.