“I don’t believe Jannik Sinner's an idiot” - Andy Roddick discusses possible scenarios for Italian amid WADA’s appeal in doping case

Andy Roddick discussed the possible results for Jannik Sinner's doping case as the World Anti-Doping Agency calls for a two-year suspension on the World No. 1. The American sympathized with the Italian, who, he felt wouldn't take steps that may harm his career.

After Sinner's triumph at the Cincinnati Masters, it was made public that he had tested positive for Clostebol, a banned Anabolic drug, during the Indian Wells Masters in March earlier this year. However, he argued that the substance's consumption wasn't intentional and had entered his body via bare-handed massages from his ex-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi. The physiotherapist had used a healing spray, which contained Clostebol, on his hand for a cut.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency cleared the 23-year-old to play and the ATP also released a statement about how the verdict had gone in the Italian's favor.

This news turned the tennis world upside-down with many lashing out at the verdict since many players had faced harsher punishments for testing positive for a drug in the past. Amid all this, Jannik Sinner managed to clinch the 2024 US Open by defeating home favorite Taylor Fritz in the final.

However, there is a new twist in the Italian's case as WADA has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding the doping case and is demanding a possible suspension of one to two years. In the latest episode of his podcast "Served with Andy Roddick", the American discussed how Sinner will have begun preparations for the Australian Open if the verdict comes by December.

"If it comes down the day after Christmas or sometime around then, he's already gotten his training in for Australia, so that's locked in. He's already spent three weeks of his life being a psychopath about fitness, about everything else." [at 12:10]

Roddick then explained the possible number of Majors the World No. 1 could miss and spoke about how detrimental it would be for him.

"That lands, if it's three months, he misses one, if it's six months, he misses two, if it's nine months, he misses three Slams. That is a massive thing for someone who is currently in their prime or at least building towards the last five percent of their prime."

"(That's) all that matters. And he has to (...) mentally to go through the hard yards of an off-season, he has to do it if he doesn't know what the answer is going to be. Because there's a chance that he gets to play in Australia."

Roddick said that he would have had sympathy for the Italian and his team had he been suspended during the US Open.

"I think, if they're saying a year, it's going to be like a six-month situation. At the (US) Open, when this came up, I said I wouldn't have blinked at a six-month suspension, I would have had a lot of sympathy and empathy for their team, for Jannik," he added.

Andy Roddick then defended Jannik Sinner and said he wasn't a fool to take performance-enhancing substances on purpose and jeopardize his career.

"I don't believe he is an idiot, I don't think he is consciously going to do something that does enhance performance to risk legacy, reputation, time, chance at Slams, etc. I feel badly for Jannik."

Roddick said he wouldn't be surprised if Sinner was suspended for some time.

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"I would be surprised" - Andy Roddick feels Jannik Sinner's suspension is a huge possibility

Jannik Sinner (Source: Getty)

Continuing his thoughts on Jannik Sinner on his podcast, Andy Roddick said:

"I just feel if WADA is reinserting themselves into this conversation that they're going to do it with intent in mind for a suspension. I would be surprised if he wasn't suspended for some amount of time."

Amid all this, Sinner has continued to play phenomenal tennis. The Italian also called out WADA over its decision and mentioned how he had three positive hearings leading to his verdict.

Sinner looks to win his third consecutive title after the US Open and the Cincinnati Master at the China Open. However, he will face a tough task in the summit clash as he is set to face his rival Carlos Alcaraz.