Jannik Sinner is going through all the emotions this Saturday. But the one that will dominate in the coming hours will undoubtedly be worry, despite his victory against Roman Safiullin in the round of 16 of the ATP 500 in Beijing: 3–6, 6–2, 6–3.
The world number 1 was in fact dominated in the first set by the 69e world when the World Anti-Doping Agency announced its decision to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking a suspension of one year to two years for the Italian.
Initially cleared by an independent tribunal after testing positive twice for a banned substance last March, Sinner is therefore not off the hook. Did he know this before his match? Or will he learn it in the locker room? He will perhaps answer these questions at a press conference.
The recent winner of the US Open will in any case still have to demonstrate great mental strength to continue playing with this sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
Qualified in the quarter-finals in Beijing as in all the tournaments in which he participated in 2024, Sinner will be able to count on the support of his new team in China where he will face Jiri Lehecka for a place in the last four.
Published on Saturday September 28, 2024 at 11:38
