I WAS DOWN A BIT: SINNER

World No. 1 helps Italy retain Davis Cup, but hurt by doping accusations

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World No. 1 Jannik Sinner said his off-court turmoil over doping accusations was "heartbreaking", after winning the Davis Cup with Italy on Nov 24 to complete a stellar year.

The 23-year-old won the Australian Open, US Open and ATP Finals before starring for Italy as they claimed a second consecutive Davis Cup triumph, but admitted he is not able to play with a completely clear head.

Sinner is still waiting for the outcome of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) appeal against his initial exoneration for twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

"Of course it's in the head a little bit," said Sinner.

"The most important part is all the people who are around me, who know me as a human being, trust me - that's also why I kept playing the level I have.

"Those who know me, I was emotionally a bit down, a bit heartbroken. Sometimes life gives you difficulties and you just have to (deal with) it."

After Italy defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the final in Malaga, Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis said, from the outside, the doping case against Sinner was impossible to analyse.

"About doping, we never know what happened," said Haarhuis.