As the tennis season nears its conclusion, Rafael Nadal’s retirement signifies the end of an era, alongside Roger Federer’s earlier exit. Novak Djokovic’s future is uncertain as he struggles this season. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner’s impressive performance faces scrutiny due to positive doping tests that were later acquitted but appeal has been lodged. The doping controversy could significantly tarnish the sport’s reputation, especially as it coincides with the departures of star players like Dominic Thiem.
The tennis season is nearing its conclusion as champions prepare to be crowned at the two ATP 500 events in Basel and Vienna this Sunday. Following that, the spotlight will shift to the final push, featuring the last Masters 1000 event in Paris-Bercy, the ATP Finals in Turin, and the Davis Cup finals in Malaga, where the sport will pay tribute to Rafael Nadal.
At 38, Nadal’s retirement signals the end of a significant chapter in men’s tennis. He follows Roger Federer, who retired two years ago, marking the departure of another of the great trinity that has dominated the ATP Tour for two decades. With Novak Djokovic, also 37, potentially nearing the end of his career, the landscape is shifting dramatically. Djokovic has had a challenging season, despite clinching Olympic gold in Paris. Just recently, he participated in the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, mentioning that his main focus this year was on the Olympics.
Djokovic’s strategy paid off, albeit with consequences. His participation in the ATP Finals in Turin (November 10-17) remains uncertain, depending on his qualification. Currently residing in sixth place in the race for eight slots, he is under pressure from rival players like Casper Ruud and Andrei Rublev, along with other emerging competitors.
In Turin, Jannik Sinner will undoubtedly be the focal point. The 23-year-old Italian leads the rankings, showcasing an impressive season with 65 wins out of 71 matches. He has snatched up seven titles this year, including major victories at the Australian Open and the US Open.
The Doping Controversy
Sinner appears poised to fill the void left by Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, a gap that has remained unfilled for a considerable time. Until recently, he was viewed as the ideal representative of tennis due to his charisma, professionalism, and remarkable gameplay. However, the dark cloud of doping allegations now looms.
This summer, news broke that Sinner had tested positive twice for the steroid Clostebol during the Indian Wells tournament in the spring and again in a training test. Despite this, he faced no suspension, as his camp managed to convince anti-doping officials that the substance entered his system inadvertently, via his physiotherapist. An independent tribunal ultimately cleared him, yet WADA did not accept the ruling and appealed to the International Sports Tribunal in Lausanne (TAS). A decision on that matter is still awaited.
Since these revelations, the tennis circuit has been shrouded in uncertainty. All of Sinner’s tournament participation and titles since the positive tests are now viewed with skepticism. If the Court of Arbitration for Sport sides with WADA, a ban could severely impact Sinner’s standing in tennis. He would lose approximately 8,000 of his current 11,920 points, likely dropping him from the top ten rankings and significantly affecting his earnings.
The potential fallout from this scandal could tarnish the sport’s reputation, as tennis has not been known for its stringent doping enforcement. Herwig Straka, influential in the ATP management and a key figure in the event organization in Austria, is directly connected to this case. He acknowledges the gravity of the situation given Sinner’s recent accolades at his tournament last year.
Straka expresses caution, noting the reality of two positive tests, but argues that each case must be treated individually. He believes Sinner’s team provided compelling proof of unintentional ingestion of the banned substance, suggesting any ruling could only be overturned if substantial errors are identified in the proceedings.
Straka had hoped to present Sinner to the Viennese audience, but both he and last year’s finalist Daniil Medvedev abruptly canceled their appearances, opting instead for the lucrative Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. Sinner initially intended to take a break before the Vienna tournament but was swayed by the alluring offer from Saudi Arabia, leaving organizers disappointed.
Thiem’s Farewell at 31
The Swiss Indoors in Basel faces similar challenges. There, Straka’s counterpart, Roger Brennwald, attempted to woo Sinner’s rival Carlos Alcaraz — also without success. The two tournament organizers have a tacit agreement not to poach each other’s star players. Historically, Basel has showcased Roger Federer, while Dominic Thiem was the face of the Vienna event.
While Federer achieved 20 major championships, Thiem’s career is marked by a single Grand Slam title, his 2020 US Open win. Unfortunately, his career trajectory took a downturn following wrist surgery, which hindered his recovery. Last Tuesday, he played his final match at Wiener Stadthalle, receiving a heartfelt farewell as he stepped away from the