Jannik Sinner expressed pride in his mental fortitude after overcoming a doping controversy to win the US Open for the first time. The world No.1 entered the tournament amid scrutiny following two positive drug tests in March, which nearly resulted in a suspension. Despite public skepticism over his non-ban, Sinner triumphed by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in the final, securing his second Grand Slam title of the year.
Sinner, who had previously defeated Britain’s Jack Draper in the semi-finals, now adds the US Open to his Australian Open victory from earlier this year. Reflecting on his win, Sinner said, “I’m happy how I handled this one. I’m just excited to have this trophy with me.” He acknowledged that the doping issue remained in his thoughts but focused on his performance on the court.
Sinner struggled with his form and demeanor at previous tournaments, which he attributed to the stress from the doping allegations. However, he regained his composure and confidence throughout the US Open.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner of wrongdoing, attributing the presence of clostebol, an anabolic agent, to an inadvertent contamination from a product used by his team. Despite his exoneration, the quick resolution of the case and comments from players like Nick Kyrgios fueled ongoing debate about the fairness of his situation.
On the court, Sinner proved his skill, especially after early exits by top competitors Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Fritz, supported by a vibrant crowd including celebrities like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, aimed to end a 21-year drought for American men’s champions at the US Open. Despite his defeat, Fritz remained optimistic, stating, “I know we have been waiting for a champion for a long time, so I am sorry I couldn’t get it done this time. But I’m going to keep working and hopefully I’ll get it done next time.”
