Ever since Jannik Sinner‘s doping nightmare came to light, fans and insiders have been constantly questioning and assessing the situation for what it is. Was he guilty? Well, that’s for the CAS to decide for the final time in February, but for now, Andy Roddick has expressed his opinion on the matter while rallying behind the Italian’s innocence.

Ahead of the US Open this year, it was revealed that the World No. 1 tested positive twice for a banned anabolic substance during his Indian Wells campaign in March. Though Sinner evaded a ban after an independent tribunal handed him a ‘no guilt or negligence’ verdict, his troubles didn’t end there. Players like Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov lamented the tribunal’s decision.

During the process, Sinner admitted guilt and presented viable evidence that proved he had not doped intentionally. The Italian claimed that his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi had applied a spray on his own wound and then gave him a massage without gloves, which caused the clostebol contamination. The tribunal let him off without a ban and Sinner later parted ways with his physiotherapist.

But the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was not going to let his case rest. It was later announced that the agency petitioned for Sinner’s case to be retried at the CAS. With the dates for a final verdict set in February next year, Andy Roddick was prompted to drop a word on this impending doping saga.

During an episode on his ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, the former US Open champion explained that he won’t “go after Sinner cuz I don’t think he knew. I don’t think he’s that dumb. Maybe I’m wrong, we’ll never know. The best player on earth and the worst doper that’s ever lived.” 

Sinner is gutted about how things turned out despite his best efforts to avoid such a situation. Notably, the 23-year-old opened up about how he felt competing this season knowing his doping nightmare followed him everywhere.

Jannik Sinner ‘heartbroken’ over doping accusations

The flak that he received from the fans and the former players after his failed dope tests was not easy to handle for Jannik Sinner. The Italian superstar did justice to his potential and put on quality performances on the court, but he was not completely unfazed by what was happening off-court. After helping Italy lift the Davis Cup title for the second consecutive time last month, Sinner addressed his plight and mental situation amidst the doping accusations.

He said, “Of course, it’s in the head a little bit. The most important part is all the people who are around me, who know me as a human being trust me — that’s also why I kept playing the level I have. Those who know me, I was emotionally a bit down, a bit heartbroken. Sometimes life gives you difficulties and you just have to (deal with) it.”

After a long season and eight tour-level titles including Slam victories in Melbourne and New York, Sinner will look forward to resting and training before he commences his title defense at the Australian Open in 2025. Do you think Jannik Sinner will successfully defend his Australian Open title next year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.