'Last four or five months were very stressful': Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek address drug bans at Wimbledon Champions Dinner

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek made history at the weekend by claiming their maiden Wimbledon championship respectively. After living their glory day at the iconic Centre Court, the champions attended the customary Wimbledon Champions Dinner that took place following the culmination of the tournament. Following the event, Sinner addressed the sensitive subject of their respective drug bans and revealed they even chatted after the concerned topic.

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Jannik Sinner on the drug bans he and Iga Swiatek faced

Sinner was handed a three-month ban in February following two positive doping tests after reaching an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Swiatek, on the other hand, accepted a one-month suspension in November last year after testing positive for a banned substance. After serving the respective bans, the two have made a blistering return to the court, amplifying a statement of dominance with Wimbledon victory.

Sinner lifted the Wimbledon trophy by overcoming familiar foe Carlos Alcaraz in the final. The Italian dethroned the two-time Wimbledon champion by winning the match in four sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4). Meanwhile, Swiatek vanquished Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the Women’s final.

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Sinner spoke to BBC Sport to discuss his Wimbledon triumph on Monday. And reflecting on his chat with Swiatek, he explained: “Well, me and Iga, we actually talked yesterday about this and we’ve been celebrating, in a way, even more because it was a very difficult time for her and also for me.

“And only me and my team and the people who are close to me know exactly how it went.

“There are always going to be some people who believe in you and who [do] not, but this is in everything.

“So yeah, in a way it’s very special, because it was very, very stressful, the time on the last four or five months.”