Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner is no stranger to the spotlight, but his recent withdrawal from the Paris Masters has stirred up a storm on social media. The World No. 1 pulled out of the tournament citing an intestinal virus, a setback for the 23-year-old star who was looking to build on a remarkable season that includes victories at the US Open and Shanghai Masters. However, fans online weren’t so forgiving, with some questioning if the real reason behind his absence is tied to a doping scandal that continues to hover over him.
Sinner, who’s arguably been the best player this season with seven titles and a rise to World No. 1 in June, has become a lightning rod for criticism. While his official reason for skipping the Paris Masters is illness, skeptics on social media have drawn a different conclusion, alleging that he’s dodging another potential doping scandal. “Fleeing from scrutiny,” one fan quipped, while others took digs at his record of withdrawals, pointing out that Sinner has withdrawn from three tournaments this year, including the Madrid Open and Italian Open.
Earlier this season, Sinner’s achievements were momentarily overshadowed when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed his doping case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a development that has led to increased scrutiny from fans. The withdrawal from Paris has only fueled suspicions among critics, who saw it as an opportunity to question the Italian star’s clean record. As one fan bluntly posted, “It’s not a virus he’s running from.”
While the criticism swirls, Sinner is already looking forward to his next big challenge at the ATP Finals in Turin, where he’ll aim to solidify his year-end World No. 1 ranking. Although he’ll lose 90 points for missing the Paris Masters, his main rival, Carlos Alcaraz, now has a window to close the points gap if he wins the title in Paris.
In a video shared on social media, Sinner expressed disappointment over his forced exit from the Paris tournament, assuring fans that he’s focused on recovery and already looking ahead to the ATP Finals. Last year, Sinner was the runner-up in Turin, losing to Novak Djokovic, and he’ll be hoping to capitalize on his momentum this season to capture the prestigious year-end title on home soil.
Whether Sinner’s latest withdrawal is just an unfortunate twist in a season of ups and downs, or something more, the spotlight on his career has only intensified. As the ATP Finals draw closer, all eyes will be on Sinner to see if he can silence the doubters and end his season on a high note.
