Italian number one Jasmine Paolini
said Tuesday Jannik Sinner's three-month doping ban had been
unfair and it was nice to see the world number one again at the
Italian Open which has just started in Rome.
"I met him yesterday, it's nice to see him again. What happened
was a bit strange, I strongly believe that the suspension was
unfair, being out for three months didn't help anyone,"
Paolini, world number 5 awarded by the foreign press as the
revelation athlete of 2024, told a press conference.
"Jannik is an incredible player, he didn't deserve this and it's
nice to have him back here. What happened to him scared
everyone, we are subject to anti-doping controls all year round,
contamination is scary and we don't have control over
everything. A fan can come and give you a high five with
something in his hands. Jannik's case has made us face how
delicate this situation can be, WADA said it will change the
rules but I think something could have been done earlier".
Paolini admitted to being fascinated by "his intelligence, in
what he says and how he behaves, it is perhaps his best weapon.
Who would I go to dinner with between him and (Lorenzo) Musetti?
With Jannik I have had less opportunity to spend more time
together, I know Musetti more, I have had more opportunities to
get to know him better and I adore his child", she continued.
Then she spoke about her own tournament, saying:"I am super
happy to be here in Italy, this is a tournament where all of us
Italians want to do well, it is nice to play in front of our
fans. I hope to play more matches than last year, to have
changed for the better. I arrive here with a greater baggage of
experience, but tennis is strange, and I hope to improve on last
year's result", she concluded.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
