Jannik Sinner, the World No 1 in tennis, has opened up about the turmoil he has been facing amidst an anti-doping controversy. Sinner expressed his feelings, saying, “I’ve had sleepless nights about this. I am very disappointed and also surprised” after the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) announced their decision to appeal the tribunal’s ruling that cleared him of a doping offence.

Despite testing positive for a banned substance twice earlier this year, an independent tribunal found Sinner not at fault. However, news of Wada’s appeal came as Sinner arrived in Beijing for the China Open. The Australian Open and US Open champion, who is set to face young rival Carlos Alcaraz in the Beijing final, admitted that the saga has been weighing on his mind as Wada moves forward with the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sinner shared, “But what I know is that I always try to remind myself that I haven’t done anything wrong. In my mind, I knew this could potentially happen. Obviously disappointed to be in this situation but I just try to stay somehow focused on my work and trying to do everything possible to be ready for each match I play.” Sinner acknowledged the attention the case has been garnering, saying, “I know everyone is talking about it, the news is talking about it. But anyway, the game and the level that he’s playing with everything he’s been through right now, it’s insane.”