Jannik Sinner addresses doping case after beating Taylor Fritz in US Open men’s final

Italian Jannik Sinner defeated American Taylor Fritz in straight units within the U.S. Open males’s remaining on Sunday.

It was the primary time Sinner, the world’s No. 1, has received the title, and the primary time an Italian man has received the U.S. Open.

Sinner defeated the California native in straight units, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. This was the primary time both participant made it to the finals of the U.S. Open.

Sunday’s win can also be Sinner’s second Grand Slam title this yr after successful the Australian Open in January.

Sinner’s street to victory had been marred by a doping scandal that resulted in factors and prize cash deductions reasonably than a ban. It was disclosed late this summer time that Sinner had examined constructive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol, which he claims he encountered after his health coach handled an harm on Sinner’s physiotherapist, who later labored on the participant, resulting in the hint quantity in a check consequence.

The revelation all however solid a cloud over a banner yr during which he received 5 singles titles, together with the primary Grand Slam title of the yr.

Sinner instructed ABC Information after the match that he was comfy on the court docket regardless of going through criticism main into the match.

“I used to be simply completely satisfied to compete,” Sinner mentioned whereas holding the championship trophy.

Sinner known as the saga a really powerful second for his staff however maintained, “They know what, what occurred and what I’ve accomplished, which is I have never accomplished something incorrect.”

Regardless of the criticism from some gamers, Sinner mentioned he might sense the passion from the packed Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.

Sinner discovered help from followers who flocked to see the ultimate in essentially the most well-attended U.S. Open in historical past. In response to the US Tennis Affiliation, multiple million individuals attended the U.S. Open all through its three-week run.

“They gave me a lot power, particularly in moments the place I used to be struggling and in addition as we speak, this remaining, you realize, taking part in towards American and it was such a good crowd,” the 23-year-old Italian mentioned.

The viewers was additionally peppered with celebrities, together with Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Olympian Noah Lyles, Martha Stewart and Dangerous Bunny.

For Fritz, Sunday’s match got here on the heels of an all-American semifinal on Friday, the place he beat American Frances Tiafoe. Fritz walked on court docket to Sunday’s remaining as the primary American man to see a Grand Slam remaining since Wimbledon 2009, the place Andy Roddick competed. Roddick was additionally the final American man to win the U.S. Open title in 2003.

In his post-match press convention, Fritz mirrored on what he described as a “actually powerful match.”

“I did not, positively did not hit the ball in addition to I anticipated to,” Fritz mentioned, including, “That is simply sort of the way it goes whenever you’re taking part in, you realize, he is the most effective participant on this planet proper now.”

The 26-year-old obtained choked up as he described the strain main into Sunday night time’s match.

“I really feel just like the followers, clearly, American followers, [have] been wanting a males’s champion for a very long time, and I simply, I do not know, I am fairly upset with how I performed. I really feel like, I do not know, I really feel like I virtually let lots of people down,” Fritz mentioned.

Fritz mentioned his physique had rested for the reason that five-set match towards fellow countryman Tiafoe. “I did not really feel anyplace close to as nervous going into this match as I did within the semis. So I believed emotionally, you realize, it is clearly the U.S. Open remaining, I wish to win it, it is a actually massive second. However I felt like emotionally I used to be going to be OK,” he mentioned.