Jannik Sinner admits he was curious about how he would be received by fans during his opening match at the Australian Open on Monday.
The world No. 1 began his title defence with a 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1, win over Chile’s Nicolas Jarry, who was runner-up at the Italian Masters last season. It is the 15th Grand Slam hardcourt match in a row that Sinner has won in straight sets which is a rare milestone in men’s tennis. Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are the only other male players to have achieved this in the Open Era.
“It’s amazing to be next to these names. I cannot compare myself with these players. They have done so, so many things. I’m just trying to make my own little story,” said Sinner.
“I like hard courts. I like these conditions. Especially when it’s not that hot like today, it’s very nice to play.”
Sinner is trying to win his third Grand Slam title amid an ongoing battle about his recent doping case. He failed two anti-doping tests in 2024 after testing positive for the steroid clostebol but was cleared of wrongdoing by The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) who concluded he had no fault or negligence. It was accepted that Sinner was accidentally contaminated after being treated by a former physio who was using a spray on his hand that contained the banned substance.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. They argue that the ITIA’s finding of no fault or negligence is ‘not correct under the applicable rules.’ They are seeking a ban of up to two years on the view that Sinner had a degree of responsibility in ensuring that his team wasn’t using prohibited substances.
Given the ongoing case, Sinner says he wasn’t sure how he would be received in Melbourne where he is playing his first tournament of the season.
“I was curious to see how it was. You never know what’s happening,” he said.
“I was happy about the crowd. It was a very nice crowd. There were some for my opponent and some for me. It was a nice atmosphere.
“I was just looking forward to go on court. This is why I practice for, no? I’m trying to compete in the best possible.”
Sinner has faced accusations of getting preferential treatment in his doping case from the ITIA due to his profile on the Tour. Something he and the ITIA have denied. Meanwhile, his first round opponent in Australia said he wasn’t given the same treatment during his doping case. Jarry was banned between December 2019 and November 2020 after testing positive for ligandrol and stanozolol. It was later established that his positive tests were caused by contamination of vitamin supplements he was taking.
“I don’t know the details of his case. For me, it’s difficult to say whatever happened,” Sinner said in response to Jarry’s remarks.
“What I can say is these kind of things, we got treated in the same way. There’s the protocol. If the protocol has some issues or problems, then it’s not my fault, you know?
“Of course, I’m very sorry for the players who are having these kinds of things. But I don’t know exactly the details about his case.
“I know only what happened to me. I knew what I have to pass. It’s basically still on, mine. I have to do some stuff.
“At the end of the day, I was always judged that I was innocent. The amount I had in my body was less than a billionth of a gram and it was contamination. I don’t know exactly the details of what he had.“
Sinner will play Tristan Schoolkate in the second round.
