Sinner: "Last year I was not happy, the whole doping case overwhelmed me a lot"

Rarely Jannik Sinner is as transparent as he is in the documentary filmed by Rolex during the three months of absence due to the doping sanctions received. The Italian explains what he did during those three months and how emotionally challenging it was for him to handle the situation.

The media battle seems to be lost by Jannik Sinner compared to his intimate rival, Carlos Alcaraz, but there are numerous efforts being made to show himself increasingly closer to fans and build a personal image that makes him a role model beyond sports and to connect with more and more people. In this storyline, the documentary filmed with Rolex is framed, where he looks back on moments from the three months of suspension due to his doping positives. His reflections are truly powerful.

- Jannik Sinner admits to feeling unhappy and overwhelmed the past year due to the doping case

"I prepare thoroughly to win matches, but I also have doubts every time I step onto the court and have to face difficult moments. I always wanted to be able to say that I had won a Grand Slam, but now that I have achieved it several times, I never take anything for granted. I know everything can change quickly. It is crucial to know oneself, both the body and the mind, to make good decisions on and off the court," explains the world number 1.

One of the most important parts of the audiovisual document is when he reviews everything that happened due to his doping cases. "I remember that last year I arrived in New York with many doubts and a certain fear that people would see me in a different way. The news of my positives came out five days before and it was very difficult for me to handle that. Off the court, there are things that cannot be controlled, but every time I step onto a court, I feel like I am in a safe place," he admits.

- Sinner reflects on the importance of his family and origins, as well as his personality

"From the outside, it may seem like I am a person devoid of emotions, but in reality I am a very sensitive boy. I have doubts every day, sometimes I cannot contain the tension, and sometimes I am too hard on myself. In difficult moments, I think about all the effort I have had to make to get here, I think about my origins and my family," affirms a Sinner who can barely contain his emotions when recalling his childhood.

He has always been very aware of all the sacrifices made by his parents, a cook and a waitress at the same restaurant, so that he could enjoy a happy childhood, playing football, tennis, and skiing. He ended up choosing tennis and, at the age of 13, he left to train in Bordighera, about six or seven hours by car from his home. "I left everything to start a new life, I remember putting in maximum effort in every practice, ending with pains I had never experienced before. That's when I realized the person I am; it's amazing to see how quickly I have grown as a person," asserts the Italian.

The work done with Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill was designed with great attention to detail for him to come back much stronger, as he has achieved. "Last year I was not happy because I constantly had the doping issue in mind and it overwhelmed me a lot. Those three months outside of competition, I took advantage of spending time with my family and friends. If you are happy off the court, you will perform much better on it," concludes a Jannik Sinner who is increasingly connecting with more fans.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner: "El año pasado no fui feliz, me agobió mucho todo el caso del doping"