Jimmy Connors says what he thinks could happen to tennis if Jannik Sinner is given a ban
Jannik Sinner continued his stunning 2024 season by beating Novak Djokovic in the Shanghai Masters final.
But a seventh victory of the season for the Italian comes amid WADA pushing for Sinner to be banned following his positive drugs test.
Andy Roddick thinks Sinner could get a six-month ban, with the Italian having failed two doping tests earlier this year.
The world number one tested positive for the banned substance clostebol during and immediately after the Indian Wells.
But a tribunal found the substance was accidentally transferred by his physio Giacomo Naldi, who has since parted ways with Sinner.
Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates after winning the Men’s Singles finals match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day 14 of 2024 Shanghai Rolex Ma…
The 23-year-old has shone brightly despite the ongoing issue, with Sinner finding the drugs attention uncomfortable.
Having initially not been suspended, Sinner could now face a ban after WADA’s involvement, with tennis legend Jimmy Connors now the latest to weigh in on the debate.
“It’s his escape,” Connors said on the latest episode of Advantage Connors. “Once he is out on that court he has too much to think about. His own game, his opponent. He knows what it is going to take to win.
“But what do you do for the other 20 hours over the rest of the day? I am not so close to it that I understand just what a grain of salt of that does. And to be honest that’s not my style to be a part of that.
“Listen, all I know is that I don’t think tennis at that level could survive that to hit a top player. They have shown in the past that they are not afraid to hit lower ranked players and discard them from the game. But I don’t know if tennis at that level could take it.”
What would ATP Tour players think of a Jannik Sinner ban?
Much of the tennis world would, of course, miss the stylish world number one should he be forced off the court.
The length of a potential ban remains unknown, but the ATP Tour has gotten used to seeing the superb striking and timing of the Italian in recent seasons.
Having won the Shanghai Masters title on Sunday, Sinner now boasts seven tour-level titles this year, including two Grand Slams.
On the other hand, however, many players could welcome a ban for the Italian given that it would simply allow them a better chance of clinching success.
And there is another group who are likely campaigning, either quietly or out loud, for Sinner to receive his marching orders because he ultimately tested positive for a banned substance.
