"I've been in this position three times already" - Jannik Sinner shakes off concern about WADA appeal as he continues on-court progress at ATP Finals

Jannik Sinner exuded confidence about the results of the upcoming Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling for his ongoing case. The Italian said that he had been in this position three times before and the situation had gone in his favor.

Currently competing at the ATP Finals, Sinner is enjoying the best season of his career. He won his first two Majors, three Masters 1000, and reached the World No. 1 ranking. The Italian has now reached the semifinals of the ATP Finals by winning all his group-stage matches and topping the group.

However, the 23-year-old also had to face a personal battle off the court when he found that he had tested positive for Clostebol, a banned substance, during the Indian Wells Masters this year. He argued that the substance had entered his body through bare-handed massages from his ex-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who had used a healing spray, with Clostebol, for a wound on his finger.

The ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) felt that he bore 'No Fault or Negligence' and allowed him to continue playing. However, WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) decided to appeal ITIA's verdict and demanded a two-year ban on the Italian.

Jannik Sinner was surprised to know that WADA had appealed his initial verdict and expressed his disappointment since he had gone through three hearings and all had come out positively in his favor.

Sinner was asked if he was feeling stressed about the upcoming CAS ruling after his 6-3, 6-4 win against Daniil Medvedev at the ATP Finals. The Italian said that he wasn't worried as he already had three positive outcomes earlier.

"No, I have been in this position three times already. Three times we had the hearing. Three times came to my way, which is positive," he said.

Sinner admitted that he didn't want to be embroiled in this turmoil but was 'positive' about how things would pan out. He added:

"Of course, it's not a position where I like to be in. But, you know, I'm going to work together with everyone, like I did before, then we see what comes out.I'm very positive of how it's going to be."

"Even now, I don't understand it" - Jannik Sinner revealed how he found out that he tested positive for Clostebol

Jannik Sinner (Source: Getty)

In the recent interview with Esquire UK, Jannik Sinner revealed details of how he found out about his unfortunate positive test. He was given a call by his manager Alex Vittur, who broke the news to him.

Sinner said that his mind went blank since he couldn't understand what caused the substance to enter his body. He admitted that to this day, he still struggles to comprehend the situation entirely.

"I was in my flat in Monte Carlo. Alex calls me and says, 'Jannik you are positive.' And I say, 'Yes Alex, I am always positive.' 'No, you are positive for doping.' I had a moment of total blank. I didn't know what to say. Nothing was coming out of me. I immediately tried to understand how this could have happened, because I did absolutely nothing. I didn't even want to believe it. I felt lost. Even now, I don't understand it," Sinner said.

On the tennis side of things, Jannik Sinner didn't drop a single set during the ATP Finals this year. He awaits the results of Alexander Zverev vs Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud vs Andrey Rublev to see who'll face in the semifinals.