" I was treated like everyone else. I hope no other athlete finds themselves in my situation and that people understand that I was able to continue playing because we immediately understood how Clostebol had entered my body ."

This is how Jannik Sinner responds to the criticism of some fellow tennis players on the anti-doping procedures. "Obviously, I was in a position where I had the possibility of having excellent legal support - Sinner said in an interview with ESPN - If the situation is different, things can be different. But I have lived difficult moments, at Wimbledon I had sleepless nights because of the thoughts ".

Tomorrow the first round of the US Open: « I have low expectations, at the moment. Even here at the US Open. These months have been tough. I made it because I knew I hadn't done anything wrong - he said referring to the doping case - The mind had an impact, not just the hip injury: at Wimbledon I had sleepless nights and you could see the effect on the court. I wasn't playing happy. Now I'm happy to be here, I can't wait. But I need to turn the page, to find myself fully I have to take it easy».

In fact, Sinner was able to demonstrate how the infinitesimal amount of Clostebol (less than a billionth of a gram) detected by the anti-doping test was not the result of ingestion, but of contamination. The physiotherapist Naldi (fired for that carelessness) in fact used an ointment containing the substance to treat a wound on his finger and then massaged the world's number 1 tennis player without using gloves, contaminating him with a quantity of Clostebol that, according to what experts unanimously say, does not alter athletic performance.

The South Tyrolean has received solidarity from some colleagues, from Zverev to Berrettini . Others, such as Djokovic and Shapovalov , without insinuating doubts about his reconstruction, have raised the issue of an alleged disparity in treatment. Alcaraz , who would have gladly avoided intervening on the subject, limited himself to saying that if Sinner was judged innocent it is right that he plays. The most uncomposed criticisms came from Nick Kyrgios , who questioned Sinner's reconstruction, confirmed by the Itia and three doctors who did not even know what kind of tennis player he was dealing with, according to what can be read in the report.

In recent days, the Italian tennis player, among other things, had said: « Now I also understand who my friends are and who isn't ».

(Unioneonline/L)

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