World number one Jannik Sinner made a winning return to the Australian Open amid his ongoing doping controversy, receiving a mixed reception from the Melbourne crowd.
The defending champion, who claimed his first major title at Melbourne Park last year, was competing at the tournament for the first time since failing two doping tests in March.
The 23-year-old Italian faces a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in April but remains cleared to compete following his initial clearance by tennis authorities.
Sinner secured a straight-sets victory over Chile's Nicolas Jarry, winning 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.
Jannik Sinner beat Nicolas Jarry in the first round of the Australian Open
Reuters
The Italian expressed satisfaction with his reception at the tournament. "I was curious to see how it was. You never know what's happening," Sinner said.
"I was happy about the crowd. It was a very nice crowd. There were some for my opponent and some for me. It was a nice atmosphere," he added.
Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after successfully arguing he was inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist when he tested positive for the steroid clostebol.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has appealed the decision and is seeking a ban of up to two years.
Despite the ongoing case, Sinner has enjoyed remarkable success, winning both the US Open and season-ending ATP Finals during a stellar 2024 season.
JUST IN:Tyson Fury's wife has already made feelings clear on Tyson's retirement
Jarry, who faced Sinner in the first round, expressed frustration over the different treatment of doping cases in tennis.
The Chilean world number 36, who served an 11-month ban after testing positive for anabolic agents in 2020, wished he had received similar support from tennis authorities.
"What I can say is that I would have liked the same treatment as the things that I went through," Jarry said.
"I don't think it was the same, so that's all. What I can say is that it's tough for me to play against him."
READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios drops retirement bombshell after losing Australian Open clash
Jannik Sinner was happy with the reception he received at the Australian Open
Reuters
The handling of Sinner's case has drawn criticism from several players in the tennis community.
Australian player Nick Kyrgios has been particularly vocal, describing the handling of both Sinner's case and that of former world number one Iga Swiatek as "disgusting" for tennis.
These comments reflect growing concerns within the sport about the consistency of how doping cases are managed.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
