Jannik Sinner's doping case is already decided in court of public opinion, Italy's tennis chief says

TURIN, Italy (AP) — A final verdict in the doping case involving top-ranked Jannik Sinner likely won’t come until early next year.

For the president of the Italian tennis federation, though, the case has already been won — in the court of public opinion.

“Apart from a few imbeciles, people all around the world understand what happened,” Angelo Binaghi said in an interview with The Associated Press at the ATP Finals on Wednesday. “No matter what type of decision is issued, there’s no doubt that Sinner is one of the cleanest and most honest athletes in world sport.”

Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his U.S. Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.