Written by Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, January 10, 2025
Photo credit: Kelly Defina/Getty
The first Slam of the season could be This is Jannik Sinner's place last tournament for six months, said the former country No Andy Roddick.
Hall of Famer Roddick is backing Sinner to successfully defend his Australian Open title this month with a possible doping suspension hanging over his head.
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Last March, Sinner was twice tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol at “low levels” which the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced in August days before the start of the US Open. The offender was not suspended and allowed to play because an independent court ruled that he was “not guilty” of the contamination of steroids in his system. Soni went on to win the 2024 US Open.
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Writing in his Betway's AO preview columnRoddick said he envisions Sinner winning his third Grand Slam in the past year before being suspended by CAS for six months or one year.
The master criminal opens his defense of the title vs. Nicolas Jarry from Chile who is very worshipful. Sinner leads the top half of the draw, while rival Carlos Alcaraz and 10-year AO champion Novak Djokovic sit in the same third in the bottom half of the draw.
“Jannik Sinner is the favorite in the Men's, and he is the person I think will win,” Roddick told Betway. “Will he lead the year like he did in 2024?
“There's a WADA case cloud over him, so there's a good chance we won't see him for six months or a year. A lot depends on how his case goes, but I think he's the best hardcourt player in the world.
“He's had that hat run away from Novak Djokovic after a ten-year run with that team. I think Sinner is the one to beat in Australia, and I wouldn't bet against him.”
Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz have handed Sinner three of his six losses in 2024. Alcaraz is playing to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
Former US Open champion Roddick says consistency will be key to the Spanish star's quest for the Oz Open.
“Carlos Alcaraz is his closest rival, but everyone knows he needs to find consistency, and he is no different,” Roddick told Betway. “He won two Slams in 2024, which is nuts. We know his top level might be the best in the world. He won all his matches against Sinner in sanctioned tournaments, but consistency is the issue. Who is likely to lose at the start of the season. Slam right now between Sinner and Alcaraz Is Carlos?
“But I listened to him at an event in Charlotte, where I live, and he flashed two Slams quickly and spent a lot of time talking about how he wants to be consistent. For me, I think: ” Okay, he had a better year than my entire career, in five weeks! I think he's focused on what he can improve on, and I think that makes him even more impressive. ”
