Jannik Sinner’s 2024 season has been nothing short of extraordinary—winning eight titles, including two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and the US Open, along with the ATP Finals crown and a victory for Italy in Davis Cup. By all measures, it’s a career-defining year. Yet, his achievements haven’t fully escaped the shadow of controversy. Despite his stellar performances, the lingering effects of his doping saga have sparked heated debates. And now, as parallels are being drawn between Sinner and the sport’s all-time greats, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, fans are voicing their discontent citing doping allegations against the Italian.
In a post shared on X by Tennis TV, enthusiasts were asked to share their opinions about Sinner’s latest season. The post compared him to the Big 3 of tennis with Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic being featured alongside him, with the caption, “Where do you rank @janniksin ‘s 2024 amongst the greats? ✨”. Some key components, such as the win-loss ratio, total number of titles, and win percentage, were taken into consideration to help fans make a choice.
Remember, Sinner won a total of 73 matches and just had 6 defeats this season – taking his win percentage to 92.4. The post compared this to the achievements of Federer in 2006, Nadal in 2010, and Djokovic in 2015. While the Swiss Maestro won 92 of 97 matches he played in 2006 and amassed 12 titles including 3 Grand Slams, Rafa won 71 of the 81 matches he played winning 3 Grand Slams which took his title tally to 7 that year. Similarly, Nole had a win-loss ratio of 82-6 with a title tally of 11 including 3 Grand Slams. However, this comparison did not sit well with the fans who quickly shifted focus to his doping.
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Where do you rank @janniksin‘s 2024 amongst the greats? ✨ pic.twitter.com/8OL4FBoK0h
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 27, 2024
Several fans were seen lashing out at the Italian dynamo highlighting that none of the three players he has been compared to were accused of doping in such a manner and that a comparison cannot be drawn between the Big 3 and Jannik Sinner.
Jannik Sinner in hot waters again over his doping saga
Taking to X, one user wrote, “IT’S NOT COMPARABLE BECAUSE @janniksin FAILED DRUG TESTS TWICE!” Jannik Sinner’s adversities started after he tested positive twice for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol during Indian Wells. However, the ruling of the ITIA went in his favor which stated that Sinner did not have an intentional role to play.
It was ruled that Giacomo Naldi, Sinner’s ex-physio, used a spray containing the substance to treat a cut on his own finger. However, since he massaged Sinner without using gloves, it resulted in Sinner testing positive. But this claim has failed to reduce the backlashes against Sinner and the latest furor from fans is yet another example.
Absolutely disgraceful of you to put Sinner alongside these tennis greats.
Like WTF – you don’t care about failed doping tests?
— Puneet (@TennisPuneet) November 27, 2024
Responding to the post, another user wrote, “Stop disrespecting the Big 3. There was no WADA appeal in their seasons.” Remember, the furor that took center stage after ITIA’s ruling and demands for a ban that grew immensely, forced the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to take cognizance of the issue and appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport demanding stringent punishment against the player. Fans compare this with the years of the BIG 3 that have been compared in the post highlighting no such instance took place with them. Similar reactions continued to follow.
“The best doper of all times,” wrote another user. Sinner’s doping saga gained headlines after the Cincinnati Masters final when ITIA acquitted him of the charges. Since then, he appeared in several events and witnessed immense success. He clinched the titles in the US Open, the Shanghai Masters, and the ATP Finals, and also led his team to victory at the Davis Cup Finals. However, fans have continued to believe that he should have been barred from even participating in the tournaments unless the ruling of the CAS comes to light.
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Doper vs the greats. No comparison.
— Zara (@ZaraJ00) November 27, 2024
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One more user made a similar remark and wrote, “You simply can’t ever compare a player failing multiple drug tests with the Big 3. You just can’t.” Interestingly, this comes at a time when Sinner is also witnessing some support over the entire matter, especially from his countrymen. In the latest, Italy’s Davis Cup coach Filippo Volandri defended Sinner and said, “I don’t even want to think about a possible disqualification of Sinner, given his honesty and the irrefutable evidence he has provided. But if there is a person with broad shoulders it is Jannik. A disqualification would be the greatest injustice in history,” expressing his backing for the player. But such remarks did not reduce the backlashes against him.
Yet another user simply wrote, “Nowhere close,” signifying that the comparison is not apt. As the controversy around Sinner’s doping saga continues to simmer, it would be interesting to see what the ruling of the CAS would be. Will he be able to come out of this anytime soon? Well, only time will tell.