"Though Jannik Sinner's kicked my a**, he's a great guy" - Alex de Minaur addresses Italian's doping test case after their ATP Finals clash

Jannik Sinner's doping test case lingers on as the Italian opened his 2024 ATP Finals campaign with a win against Alex de Minaur. When asked about Sinner's doping test during a press conference, the Australian said that he’s just a tennis player and does not have a say in decisions about Sinner’s doping case.

On Sunday, November 10, the Ilie Nastase Group kicked off their ATP Finals campaign with Taylor Fritz getting the better of Daniil Medvedev before Sinner entertained his home crowd by taking on De Minaur.

The World No. 1 was second off the blocks as the Aussie earned an early break. However, Sinner was not down for long as he went on a four-game win streak after trailing 1-2 before bagging the first set. The Italian earned the all-important break in the fifth game of the second set to register a 6-3, 6-4 win in 85 minutes.

During the post-match press conference, Alex de Minaur was asked if he thinks a final decision should be made on Jannik Sinner’s doping case before the Australian Open. For context, Sinner's no-guilt charge by the ITIA has been challenged by WADA who seek a two-year ban. The case is currently under the CAS.

"I mean, honestly I'm just a tennis player. I've got no bearing in making these types of decisions whatsoever. I'm sure everything will happen when it needs to happen," Alex de Minaur said.

Expressing respect for Sinner as a person despite his losses against him, the Australian added:

"As for Jannik, I can only say on what I know of him as a person. Even though he's kicked my a** seven times now, he's a great guy. We shared a lot of moments on the court together. Him and his team, I've got a lot of respect for."

After their ATP Finals encounter, Sinner holds an emphatic 8-0 record against De Minaur.

---

Jannik Sinner to face Taylor Fritz; Alex de Minaur clashes against Daniil Medvedev in their second ATP Finals 2024 Round Robin matches

Alex de Minaur and Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals 2024 (Image: Getty)

The first Round Robin matches of the Ilie Nastase Group at the ATP Finals 2024 have seen Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz pick up crucial wins. In the second Round Robin matches, the winning duo will face each other while Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur will hope to be next in line to open their accounts.

Sinner leads the head-to-head against Fritz 2-1, with his latest win over the American coming in the 2024 US Open final. Meanwhile, Medvedev leads De Minaur by 6-3, with their last encounter resulting in a win for the Aussie at the French Open in June. Both the matches will be played on Tuesday, November 12.