Jannik Sinner believes a “clear mind” around his doping case helped him secure his latest Australian Open title.
The world No. 1 defeated Alexander Zverev on Sunday to clinch his second Melbourne Park crown.
Amid his recent success though, his doping case continues to receive attention, with a case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) scheduled.
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Sinner tested twice for steroid Clostebol during the Indian Wells tournament in March 2024.
While he did not dispute traces of the drug were found in his urine test, he argued he was inadvertently contaminated with the substance by his physiotherapist.
This reasoning was accepted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), who determined there was “no fault or negligence” on Sinner’s part.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have since appealed against the decision and are seeking a ban of one to two years.
WADA are not questioning Sinner’s explanation but rather challenging the finding that he held no fault or negligence.
The Italian’s case is set to be heard by CAS in mid-April, just over a month out from the start of Roland-Garros.
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Post-match, the now-two-time Australian Open champion was asked whether a potential ban provided him extra motivation in Melbourne.
“Not really. I mean, what happened, happened, no?” Sinner said.
“As I always say, I keep playing like this because I have a clear mind on what happened. If I know if I would be guilty, I would not play like this, and that’s it.
“I mean, I still believe every time it came out in a very positive way, and I still believe it’s going to be that case. That’s it, no?
“At the moment I’m not thinking about this. Of course, you have your moments of certain days where you feel like I wish I would not have this problem.
“In the other way, I’m always looking forward to go on court, trying to understand.
“Now I also need my time off, which is also very important for my body and my mind. Then when I go again back on court, I try to improve.”
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Sinner’s opponent on Sunday, Zverev, was also asked about the Italian’s potential ban.
“Wow, I didn’t expect that question. I don’t know,” Zverev said.
“I don’t know anything about the situation that he’s in. I know he’s been cleared once. I know someone over the Tennis Integrity Unit is taking a look at it now.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s a great guy. I have absolutely nothing against him. I don’t know what will happen, but let’s see in the next few months.
“I didn’t expect this question, so I don’t really know how to answer it, to be very honest.”
