Jannik Sinner will face the ultimate US Open test amid doping case saga and injury concern

Jannik Sinner’s preparation and hard-court form suggest he should be the favourite for the US Open title, given he arrives after winning the Cincinnati Masters and reaching the quarter-finals in Montreal.

The world No 1 avoided the challenging surface changes and significant investment of physical and emotional energy that came with playing the Paris Olympics in between Wimbledon and the US Open.

The Italian’s biggest rivals — Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev — all competed in Paris.

Despite this potential advantage, Sinner has not had the perfect build-up in terms of physical health as he missed the Olympics due to tonsillitis.

It is more concerning that, during Montreal and Cincinnati, Sinner was bothered again by the hip issue that emerged at the start of the clay-court season four months ago.

Perhaps the biggest question, though, is how Sinner will cope with the news of his two failed drug tests coming to light the week before the tournament.

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Sinner is known for his calm demeanour and has demonstrated he possesses great resilience, particularly since he reached another level as a player around a year ago. His run in Cincinnati proved he can win without his very best tennis and when he is not at 100% physically.

The most high-profile example of Sinner’s mental strength was seen when he came from two sets down against Daniil Medvedev to triumph in his maiden Grand Slam final at the Australian Open in January.

The 23-year-old may need a siege mentality to prevail in New York amid the barrage he will likely face from the media, as well as the negativity the news has already been met with by some fellow players.

Sinner’s status as the world No 1 ensures he will be firmly under the microscope at the US Open and he could feel a different level and type of pressure compared to anything he has experienced before.

The Italian has two great coaches in Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill who will be crucial in helping him shut out the noise and focus on winning his second major.

Cahill’s role could be particularly key given his vast experience and superb track record built by working with champions like Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Simona Halep.

After the news of Sinner’s positive tests emerged, Cahill told ESPN: “He would never do anything intentionally. He was in an unfortunate situation.

“The truth is out, no fault or negligence, and hopefully he can put this behind him.

“The reason why it was possible for him to continue playing after the short provisional suspension is that they were able to locate precisely where the incident occurred and they were able to explain what happened with the spray.”

The Australian also admitted Sinner has suffered in recent months as a result of the case hanging over him.

“You would have seen a big change in his physicality and excitement to be on the court, it wore him down physically and mentally, he got tonsillitis, missed the Olympics,” Cahill added. “We are not looking for any sorrow. Just thankful there is no ban attached.”

Sinner may need to find his best level to hold off Djokovic and Alcaraz at the US Open, and this could be difficult to achieve given his hip and the huge story he is at the centre of.

If the 23-year-old does lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows, it would surely be the standout moment of a superb 2024 campaign — and the most impressive and satisfying victory of his career to date.

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