Nicolas Jarry laments treatment he received in doping case before facing Jannik Sinner: It’s something I haven’t been able to close yet"

Nicolas Jarry probably had the toughest draw of the tournament, facing none other than defending co-champion Jannik Sinner in the first round. The current world No. 34 narrowly missed out on a seeded spot, and fortune placed him against Sinner in the Rod Laver Arena.

The Chilean has defeated the world No. 1 before, although that was back in 2019 on grass courts when the Italian was only 17 years old. They met again a few months ago at the China Open, with the Italian winning after coming back from a set down in the first round, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Jarry reflects on past challenges as he prepares to face Sinner

Amid the controversies surrounding Jannik Sinner’s doping case, one of the cases that resurfaced was Nicolas Jarry’s, who tested positive for doping twice during the 2020 Davis Cup and was handed an 11-month suspension. In Jarry’s appeal, the ITF recognized his innocence, confirming that the Chilean had consumed contaminated vitamins with a banned substance.

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Jarry lost his ATP ranking just months after achieving his career-highest ranking of world No. 38, and it took him a couple of years to regain his place at the top of the ATP Tour.

In a recent interview from Australia, Chilean media outlet La Tercera asked Jarry about the suspension cases of Sinner and Swiatek and whether he feels there was different treatment for his colleagues. "Hundred percent, unfortunately, I still feel that way. I try to work on it, talk about it, not let it affect me, but it’s something I haven’t been able to close yet," he commented briefly about the matter.

The Chilean reached his first Masters 1000 final at the Rome Open in the past, though he lost to Alexander Zverev. From there, his level dropped, and he suffered up to 8 consecutive losses, during months when he had ear complications that physically limited him. While his condition is now more controlled, it still affects him.

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The 29-year-old player, however, is already anticipating a tough match against Sinner, hoping to surprise right from the start of the tournament. "I have a great match ahead. I’m much better at tennis now than the last time I faced him. I hope to fight hard and surprise."

"Playing against the world No. 1 in the first Grand Slam of the year, in one of the best stadiums in the world, is an incredible experience. I’m in a very good position, playing and feeling very good. I feel strong. The excitement to play a great match has been growing."

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