Australian Open 2025: Jannik Sinner says he's trying 'to compete in best possible way' amid doping controversy

World No 1 Jannik Sinner received a warm welcome at the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne and was pleased with the reception from his fans amid an ongoing doping controversy that has been troubling the Italian. Sinner also said that he is looking to compete in “the best possible way” while trying to forget the doping saga.

Sinner on Monday entered the second round of the Australian Open with a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 win over Chile’s Nicolas Jarry.

That was his first match since the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said that a hearing for an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been fixed for April this year . In March 2024, Sinner had tested positive for Clostebol, a steroid.

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Sinner said that the banned substance entered his body when his physio used a spray which contained the substance to treat a finger injury. While the International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted Sinner’s explanation and spared him from suspension , the WADA is not happy with the verdict and is seeking a two-year ban on the 23-year-old.

‘A very nice crowd’: Jannik Sinner

“I was curious to see how it was. You never know what’s happening,” Sinner said on the welcome he received from the Melbourne crowd. “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 way,” he added.

Sinner extended his unbeaten run to 16 matches, having last lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the 2024 China Open in October. Jarry, however, never gave up and even saved a set point at 5-6 to eventually force the first set into a tie-break. The second set also went into the tie-break.

“No, he was playing really, really well, to be honest,” said Sinner. “Especially serving incredibly good in important moments. Also from the back of the court he was returning really well, playing aggressive. I could have lost the first couple of sets,” the defending Australian Open champion added. Sinner will take on Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.