Andrea Petkovic thinks there’s a very logical and easy rationalization to Jannik Sinner not being nominated for the Stefan Sportsmanship Award and his coaches additionally not being candidates for the ATP Coach of the 12 months award as the previous world No. 9 believes the ATP is “protecting themselves from a potential PR disaster.”
This 12 months, the Italian tennis star received two Grand Slams – a complete of eight titles on the ATP Tour – led his nation to a Davis Cup title – reached the world No. 1 spot for the primary time in his profession – and posted a formidable 73-6 document. Statistically, the 23-year-old was one of the best and most profitable participant this 12 months.
However when potential candidates for the Coach of the 12 months award had been introduced, Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi’s names weren’t on the checklist.
Additionally, Sinner is extensively considered one of many calmest and most collected gamers on the Tour and he by no means will get into any sort of drama or something like that. And since he treats everybody respectfully from opponents to umpires and ball children, one would assume he can be the frontrunner for the sportsmanship award. However his identify is not on the checklist.
“Coach of the Year nominees, Xavier Malisse from Alexei Popyrin, Emmanuel Planque from Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Michael Russell from Taylor Fritz, Brad Stine from Tommy Paul, James Trotman Jack Draper… No Darren Cahill,” Petkovic mentioned on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
The Australian tennis legend responded by including: “Or the Italian guy.”
“Or yeah, Simone Vagnozzi,” the previous German tennis star added, to which her colleague on the podcast remarked: “That’s pretty crazy.”
Jannik Sinner and his group© Jannik Sinner/Instagram – Truthful Use
Petkovic on why Sinner and his members bought neglected for some awards: They do not desire a PR catastrophe
In August, the ITIA introduced that the two-time Grand Slam winner twice failed a doping take a look at in March however that he proved that he did not digest a banned substance knowingly or deliberately. Additionally, he escaped provisional or actual suspension after it was decided that he bore no fault or negligence for what occurred.
However then in late September, the WADA determined to attraction the ITIA’s ruling and search a ban within the vary of 1 to 2 years. The choice is anticipated to return early subsequent 12 months, possibly February.
So Petkovic thinks this fashion – think about how it could made the ATP look if Sinner claimed the sportsmanship award and his coach received the opposite award however then he bought suspended for doping.
“It’s because if he gets banned, they don’t want him to be on the list… I think they’re basically, I don’t know if protecting is the right word, but let’s say just protecting themselves from a situation that he has the Sportsmanship award and Darren has the Coach of the Year award and then he gets banned for a couple of months,” the 2014 French Open semifinalist defined.
Stubbs did not disagree with the German however highlighted that they need to have at the very least been on the checklist.
“Listen, if you’re gonna let him play and you’re gonna allow Darren to coach, then why are you leaving them off that list? That’s ridiculous. I mean I can see it in a weird way but not really,” the previous doubles world No. 1 added.
Nevertheless, Petkovic remained agency in her assertion.
“I think it’s just self-protection. They don’t want to have to explain anything… They want to just protect themselves from a PR disaster that the guy that has Sportsmanship award gets banned for doping,” she said.
Jannik Sinner© FITP Tennis/Instagram – Truthful Use
Sinner admitted he thinks about his upcoming trial
After concluding his season by successful the ATP Finals and main Italy to back-to-back Davis Cup titles, the 23-year-old confessed that he wasn’t actually at peace.
“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,” Sinner mentioned in Malaga.
Because the WADA did not immediately attraction the ITIA’s choice, it began to appear to be that situation can be prevented. And when it occurred, the world No. 1 was left “disappointed and surprised.”
“Obviously I’m very disappointed and also surprised about this appeal because we had three hearings. All three hearings came out very positively for me. I knew it a couple of days ago, that they were going to appeal, that today it’s going to go official,” Sinner mentioned in late September.
