Jannik Sinner‘s rollercoaster year ended on a high note as tennis fans worldwide showed their love by naming him ATP Fan Favorite, despite a controversial doping case that hung over his incredible 2024 season.
The 23-year-old Italian had the kind of year most players only dream about. He grabbed his first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open, and climbed all the way to world No. 1 – doing it faster than anyone since Novak Djokovic back in 2015.
But it wasn’t all celebration and trophies.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| it Jannik Sinner | 23 | 15,405 | 33 - 3 |
| es Carlos Alcaraz | 21 | 68,791 | 25 - 5 |
| rs Novak Djokovic | 37 | 8,360 | 18 - 6 |
| de Alexander Zverev | 27 | 6,885 | 34 - 10 |
| ru Daniil Medvedev | 28 | 6,485 | 27 - 8 |
| ru Andrey Rublev | 27 | 4,710 | 24 - 10 |
| no Casper Ruud | 26 | 4,025 | 39 - 10 |
| pl Hubert Hurkacz | 27 | 3,995 | 29 - 12 |
| au Alex De Minaur | 25 | 3,845 | 29 - 11 |
| bg Grigor Dimitrov | 33 | 3,775 | 28 - 9 |
In March, Sinner’s world turned upside down when he learned he’d tested positive for a banned substance called clostebol at Indian Wells. He described that moment as “complete darkness.”
The initial investigation cleared him completely. Officials found the positive tests came from accidental contamination through his physiotherapist, and Sinner wasn’t at fault.
But the story didn’t end there.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) wasn’t satisfied and appealed the decision. They’re pushing for a one to two-year ban, even though they don’t dispute that the contamination was accidental. They just think Sinner bears more responsibility than initially decided.
The tennis world split over the controversy.
Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov came out swinging, with Kyrgios calling for a two-year ban. Shapovalov suggested top players get special treatment.
On the flip side, Italian Davis Cup captain Filippo Volandri didn’t hold back, saying banning Sinner would be “one of the biggest injustices in tennis history.”
Former world No. 8 John Isner admitted he was surprised to see Sinner win the fan award given all the drama. Speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast, he said: “I am a little bit surprised… his 2024 was a bit polarising because of that positive test. A lot of people were not fans of that – Nick Kyrgios being one of them.”
But fans clearly weren’t swayed by the controversy. They voted overwhelmingly for Sinner, showing their support for the young star who’s still waiting to hear his fate from the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2025.
For Sinner, who’s been dealing with the stress of this case all year, the fans’ support must feel like a much-needed victory off the court.
