“Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep were shunned”;”PR might rival Federer”: Fans lament double standards of Jannik Sinner’s latest interview on doping saga
Simona Halep (left top), Maria Sharapova (left bottom), Jannik Sinner.
“Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep were shunned”;”PR might rival Federer”: Fans lament double standards of Jannik Sinner’s latest interview on doping saga
Jannik Sinner has addressed his failed drug tests on multiple occasions. Most recently, he explained his side of the story in an interview with ESPN and fans labeled it a ‘PR’ stunt. They believed there was a double standard in the treatment of players caught up in a doping controversy.
During a press conference at the 2024 US Open, Sinner admitted it was ‘not ideal’ for his predicament to become public before a Grand Slam. He doubled down on his innocence and said that he had not ‘done anything wrong’.Further, in a recent interview with ESPN, the World No. 1 quashed the narrative of ‘preferential treatment’ and said he was ‘treated like everyone else’ and that is why he kept playing. He called it a ‘tough situation’ but hoped that people would understand his side of the story.
ESPN’s official X account posted a snippet of the interview.
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Fans were unhappy with the interviews Sinner received as they believed other players who were caught up in a doping controversy did not.
“I don’t remember Sharapova or Halep who were much more accomplished and famous than this man getting to do so many interviews when they were caught to explain their position. they were both immediate shunned. these double standards are nauseating,” one fan wrote.
“Ohhh here comes the pr,” another fan wrote.
“Did y’all do the same interview with Halep? Sharapova? Tara Moore? I can’t remember but I don’t think so…,” a third fan wrote.
Here are some more fan reactions to Jannik Sinner’s latest interview.
“So low of you espn clearly a scripred [scripted] interview,” one fan wrote.
“PR interview with ESPN?? His PR might rival Federer’s/Nadal’s,” another fan claimed.
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“This PR from his team and ATP?” another fan asked.
Jannik Sinner will face Mackenzie McDonald in the US Open 2024 1R
Jannik Sinner at the 2024 US Open press conference. (Image: Getty)
Jannik Sinner at the 2024 US Open press conference. (Image: Getty)
Jannik Sinner will look to put the failed drug tests saga behind him and focus on the final Grand Slam of the year. The Italian will take on Mackenzie McDonald in the first round of the 2024 US Open on Tuesday, August 27.
This will be the fourth match between the pair, with the top seed leading the head-to-head 3-0. Their last encounter was at the Paris Masters last year which Sinner won 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-1.Notably, the World No. 1 will enter the New York Major in fine form, having bagged the Cincinnati Open title recently after defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final. Sinner also made an impressive quarterfinal run at the Canadian Open.
