Newly-crowned US Open champion Jannik Sinner acknowledged on Sunday that the controversy surrounding his two failed drug tests "continues to weigh on my mind." The 23-year-old Italian triumphed over Taylor Fritz in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5, securing his second Grand Slam title, following his first in Australia earlier this year. Sinner celebrated his victory by raising his arms aloft after breaking Fritz's serve to clinch the title, as cheers echoed through Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite the home fans' hopes that Fritz would end a 21-year drought for American men in Grand Slam tournaments, Sinner's victory was overshadowed by the ongoing controversy. Sinner faced scrutiny after twice testing positive for the banned substance clostebol in March. He avoided a lengthy ban when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined that he was not at fault, having been inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist. As a result, Sinner dismissed physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and trainer Umberto Ferrara, citing a loss of trust in them. The decision to exonerate Sinner was met with skepticism by some players, who suggested that he had received preferential treatment due to his stature in the sport. Social media posts from former top-10 players Denis Shapovalov and Nick Kyrgios were particularly critical, while the 19-month doping ban and subsequent exoneration of former British doubles No. 1 Tara Moore further fueled the debate about a perceived double standard.
"With my family, team, and everyone who supports me daily, I always try to stay united with them, especially during challenging times," Sinner said. "The situation is still on my mind. It hasn't disappeared, but when I'm on the court, I focus on the game and try to manage the situation as best as I can, communicating with my team during practice." He admitted that the case had cast a shadow over him but believes that fans and most players have been supportive. "Obviously, it was very difficult for me to enjoy certain moments," he added. "My behavior and demeanor on the court in previous tournaments were not the same as usual, so those who know me well could tell that something was amiss." However, during this tournament, he gradually began to feel more like himself again, regardless of the outcome. "This tournament, for sure, helped me a bit."
Despite the controversy, Sinner is having an outstanding season. His victory on Sunday made him the first man since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season. Sinner believes that his win in New York has more significance for him than his Australian Open breakthrough. "Melbourne was a kind of relief because you never know if you can win a Grand Slam or not, but when you win one, you know you can do it," he said. "Here, it was difficult due to the pre-tournament circumstances. I felt like I grew match by match, and my confidence level increased as the tournament progressed." He noted that the pressure was greater this time compared to Australia, but he was pleased with how he handled it. "I'm just excited to have this trophy with me." The win capped a remarkable year for Sinner, who came back from two sets down to win at Melbourne Park and also triumphed in Miami and Cincinnati. The world number one leaves New York with an impressive 55-5 win-loss record for the year, leaving rivals such as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz behind after their early exits.
