MELBOURNE — World number one Jannik Sinner has revealed he considered quitting tennis during his 2022 doping case, admitting he "didn't feel comfortable" as fellow players looked at him "differently" during the Australian Open while the investigation was ongoing.
The 22-year-old Italian star, who recently claimed his first Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park, opened up about the emotional toll of the case in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. Sinner tested positive for a banned substance in late 2021, though the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) later cleared him of wrongdoing after determining the positive result came from contaminated supplements.
The Mental Toll of Suspicion
Sinner described the period between his positive test and eventual clearance as "the darkest months of my career." He recalled walking through player areas during the 2022 Australian Open, where he reached the quarterfinals, feeling the weight of suspicious glances from competitors.
"You could see it in their eyes," Sinner said. "Some players who used to greet me warmly suddenly became distant. I understood why - the doping cloud was hanging over me - but that didn't make it any easier to handle."
The psychological impact was severe enough that Sinner contemplated walking away from the sport entirely. He revealed:
- "I asked myself if it was worth continuing"
- "The joy was gone from my tennis"
- "I felt like I was being judged before having the chance to prove my innocence"
The Case Details
Sinner's case involved clostebol, a banned anabolic agent, detected in an out-of-competition test in November 2021. The ITIA investigation found the substance entered his system through contaminated supplements provided by a physiotherapist who had previously worked with another athlete using a clostebol-based medication.
Key aspects of the case included:
- Sinner immediately provided full access to his medical records and supplement regimen
- Independent testing confirmed cross-contamination in supplements
- No performance-enhancing intent was found
The Turning Point
Sinner credits his support team, particularly coach Darren Cahill, for helping him through the ordeal. "Darren told me, 'This will pass, and when it does, you'll be stronger.' He was right, but in that moment, I couldn't see it," Sinner admitted.
Current Anti-Doping Stance
Now cleared and sitting atop the ATP rankings, Sinner has become an advocate for stricter supplement regulation in tennis. "We need better protection for clean athletes," he stated. "One contaminated product can destroy a career, even when you've done nothing wrong."
The experience has left Sinner particularly sympathetic to players facing similar situations. "Now when I hear about doping cases, I don't jump to conclusions. The system needs to presume innocence until proven otherwise," he said.
Looking Forward
Despite the trauma, Sinner believes the experience ultimately strengthened his mental resilience. "Coming through that made the pressure of Grand Slam finals feel manageable by comparison," he reflected.
The Italian star is now focused on maintaining his top ranking and building on his Australian Open success. "That chapter is closed. I'm just grateful I didn't make a permanent decision based on temporary pain," Sinner concluded.
The tennis world has largely embraced Sinner's comeback story, with rivals including Novak Djokovic praising his handling of the situation. As the sport continues grappling with doping controversies, Sinner's case serves as both a cautionary tale about supplement risks and an example of due process working as intended.