Jannik Sinner has endured a whirlwind past few weeks, but at last, things seem to have settled somewhat.
The initial shock of his positive drugs test has worn off, and whilst there is still plenty of outcry in the aftermath, his stunning and easy reintegration back into the sport is to be admired.
That is, despite a continued attack from Nick Kyrgios, who is actually working as a pundit on the US Open this year.
Jannik Sinner reacts to Nick Kyrgios’ accusations
Speaking to reports after his most recent US Open win, naturally, attention turned back to Jannik Sinner‘s drugs case.
After all, it is the dominant headline despite all the tennis going on, as the world number one saw his squeaky-clean record indomitably challenged.
Refuting the claims after a successful appeal was not enough for some, with Nick Kyrgios publicly criticising Sinner alongside some other players.
Now asked if he would now be comfortable being interviewed by the Australian after a match, the Australian Open champion responded: ‘I don’t know. I don’t want to respond on what he said.
‘Everyone is free to say everything. It’s ok. If that is the case, let’s see. It’s gonna be different for sure (laughing). I don’t know what to say. Maybe I say something now and then the reaction will be something else. I’m always quite relaxed. I’m someone who forgets things quite fast. Everyone is free to say everything. It is what it is.’
Carlos Alcaraz hands Jannik Sinner a golden chance at the US Open
Going into the event, many had already discounted the Italian, after all the turmoil involved in Sinner’s successful appeal after testing positive for the steroid clostebol.
And with good reason too, as there are not many players on the planet who could have brushed aside such unrest and got back to work.
Tennis is notoriously a very mental sport, where the players match each other physically and technically for the most part.
Naturally, some have the upper hand, but it always feels like whoever goes the furthest in these big events does so because they win the battle inside their own heads.
Sinner is clearly a master of that, having come from a set down to defeat Mackenzie McDonald in the first round, before crushing the in-form Alex Michelsen in straight sets afterwards.
The 23-year-old is not set to let Kyrgios, or anyone for that matter, disrupt his momentum.
Winning the whole thing, especially with Carlos Alcaraz now out of the competition and his half of the draw, would be the icing on the cake to silence all the doubters.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
