World No. 1 Jannik Sinner expressed gratitude to his fans on Tuesday for their support amid a doping controversy as he prepared for the U.S. Open. Despite mixed reactions from fellow players, Sinner noted that the overall response has been positive.
Sinner, who had a shaky start, secured a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Mackenzie McDonald, advancing to the second round of the year’s final Grand Slam.
The 23-year-old Australian Open champion has faced intense scrutiny since the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that he tested positive twice for an anabolic agent in March. Sinner has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has continued to compete after successfully challenging provisional suspensions.
“The support from fans has been incredible, even when the news first broke,” Sinner told reporters. “There was a lot of encouragement during practice sessions, which I’m very grateful for. It’s still challenging, and I take it day by day. I was curious about how fans would react, but the response has been very positive.”
Sinner acknowledged that the situation has been complicated, particularly playing against an American opponent. Some players have criticized what they perceive as double standards in the sport, suggesting Sinner received preferential treatment.
Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev shared concerns about the consistency of anti-doping rules. “I agree with Taylor Fritz, who said, ‘Only he (Sinner) knows exactly what happened, so we can’t know,'” Medvedev said. “The exact truth is only known by him, his team, and possibly the independent tribunal.”
Medvedev noted that players who cannot explain how a banned substance entered their body are often provisionally suspended, regardless of their innocence. Sinner was cleared of fault or negligence after a tribunal accepted his explanation that the banned substance came from contamination by his physio.
Sinner will face American Alex Michelsen in the second round. He stated he cannot control others’ opinions about the situation but remains content with the overall support he has received. “I can’t control what others think or say. If I need to discuss something with someone, I prefer to do it privately. But overall, the response has been good, and I’m happy about that.”
