Tennis sinner thanks fans for support amid doping uproar | The Mighty 790 KFGO

NEW YORK (Reuters) – World number one Jannik Sinner thanked tennis fans on Tuesday for their support amid the doping controversy surrounding the Australian Open champion ahead of the U.S. Open.

Sinner overcame a poor start to claim a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Mackenzie McDonald to reach the second round of the final Grand Slam of 2024.

The 23-year-old was under intense scrutiny at the tournament after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that he had tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice in March.

He denies any wrongdoing and continues playing after successfully challenging provisional bans.

“I think the reaction from the fans was great. Even when the news came out, there was a lot of support during the training sessions, which I am very happy and pleased about,” Sinner told reporters after his victory over McDonald.

“It’s still a bit, you know, not easy. You have to keep going day by day… I was curious to see what the reaction from the fans would be, but it was very positive.

“I was very happy about the support. Playing against an American is also a bit different.”

Following the ITIA’s announcement, numerous players criticized the double standards in the sport and said the Italian had received preferential treatment.

When asked about his thoughts on the criticism, Sinner said, “There are some reactions. I can’t really control what they think and what they say.”

“That’s how it all happened and that’s how it was, I already talked about it, didn’t I?

“I can’t control the players’ reaction and if I have to say something to someone, I talk to them privately because that’s the kind of person I am. But overall it wasn’t bad. I’m happy about that.”

In the second round, Sinner will face another American, Alex Michelsen.

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru)