“I’ve Lost Some of My Smile”: Sinner Acknowledges That Doping Case Has Affected His Happiness

Jannik Sinner opened up about the challenges of maintaining a positive outlook while navigating his ongoing doping case, which has been unresolved since March.

Although he currently holds the World No. 1 ranking on the ATP Tour and recently secured his seventh title of the season at the 2024 Shanghai Masters, Sinner’s true feelings remain known only to him. While he had ample reasons to celebrate, his reactions were more subdued than one might expect.

This isn’t entirely unusual in the sports world; many athletes choose not to engage in exuberant celebrations after their victories. Daniil Medvedev is well-known for his understated reactions, and he’s not alone—some players prefer to project a sense of ‘coolness’ by downplaying their successes, particularly in front of the crowd.

Additionally, Sinner is recognized as a significant introvert and tends to avoid attracting attention through extravagant behavior, often steering clear of controversies.

However, some of his most loyal fans may have observed that he hasn’t been smiling as frequently lately. While the cause might be evident, Sinner himself acknowledged during his post-match press conference after winning the Shanghai Masters that it is indeed connected to his doping case.

“I recognize that this year has been extremely challenging for me due to various circumstances. There were moments when I lost some of my smile because of issues off the court, and those thoughts still linger in my mind at times.”

Despite the challenges, Sinner has made an effort to appreciate his accomplishments during this time, finding plenty to celebrate that helps him take his mind off the events outside of tennis.

Having recently won the US Open, he has now added another trophy from Shanghai to his collection. The 23-year-old views these victories not just as personal achievements but also as successes shared with the people he collaborates with daily.

“It’s never easy to compete under these circumstances, but I’ve focused on enjoying my time on the court as much as possible. Achieving success is wonderful, and I truly appreciate all the people who work with me daily—those who know me better than anyone else.”

Aware of the energy required to navigate his legal battles off the court, Sinner is making a conscious effort to keep negative energy at bay during his time on the tennis courts.