Sinner More Confident Ahead of Wimbledon After First Grasscourt Title 

Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
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Sinner More Confident Ahead of Wimbledon After First Grasscourt Title 

Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)
Tennis - Halle Open - OWL Arena, Halle, Germany - June 23, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. (Reuters)

Jannik Sinner is primed for a Wimbledon title tilt after picking up his first grasscourt trophy at Halle on Sunday and the Italian said he is more confident on the surface heading into the Grand Slam that begins next week.

The 22-year-old became the eighth man since the ATP rankings were first published in 1973 to win his first tournament as the world number one after beating doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8) 7-6(2) in Germany.

"I'm looking forward to it (Wimbledon). Last year I made the semi-finals, I played some good tennis. Let's see what's coming this year," said Sinner, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year.

"I'm more confident for sure. And on this surface, obviously the grass might be a bit different from here and Wimbledon. But I have one week now to prepare for it, so hopefully it's going to be a good tournament."

It was not all good news for Sinner, however, as his girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya was beaten 6-7(0) 6-4 7-6(3) by Jessica Pegula in the Berlin final.

"My girlfriend Anna played in Berlin. She lost, with six (five) match points. I'm very sorry for her," said Sinner.

"She also had an amazing week."

Wimbledon runs from July 1-14.



Sinner Has his Steroid Case Appealed by World Anti-Doping Agency

Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
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Sinner Has his Steroid Case Appealed by World Anti-Doping Agency

Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

The steroid case involving top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the Montreal-based body known as WADA announced Saturday.

According to The Associated Press, WADA said it is seeking a ban of one to two years for the US Open champion.

Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but was not banned in a decision by an independent tribunal announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Aug. 20 because the ITIA determined he was not to blame.

Sinner’s accepted explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat their own cut finger.

WADA said it filed an appeal on Thursday to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules,” WADA said in a statement. “WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance."