On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is currently the hottest name in tennis. The Italian star won two Grand Slam titles, the ATP Finals, and helped Italy retain the Davis Cup. However, not everything is going smoothly for Sinner, as Grand Slam winner Mark Woodforde believes the shadow of a doping scandal may loom larger over him.
Sinner reportedly tested positive twice for clostebol in March last year while competing at Indian Wells. News of this leaked to the press in August, shortly after his Cincinnati Open victory.
He did remarkably well last season, but it is not going to get any easier for him now with the appeal process coming up. There is already a lot of talk about what happens next in this story, but there is a possibility that there may be some kind of suspension may be coming.
Mark Woodforde said in an interview to Tennis365
Despite the doping allegations, Sinner has not faced any suspension from tennis authorities. This has led to heavy criticism from the media and fellow players, particularly Nick Kyrgios.
He has already gone through one step of the process and he has been able to compartmentalise these issues that have been happening off the court and to just keep his head down.
Mark Woodforde added
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has stated that a final verdict on Sinner’s doping case will be reached in 2025, with an estimated date in March. This timeline allows Sinner to defend his title at the Australian Open.
Jannik Sinner to lead charity events before the Australian Open
In the lead-up to the Australian Open 2025, top players are preparing with matches that simulate Grand Slam conditions. Rod Laver Arena will host a series of charity matches from January 7-10, offering fans an exciting preview of the action.
These matches are part of AO Opening Week and feature tennis stars in unique events, including Red Bull Bassline, a mixed doubles charity match, and “A Night with Novak.” Tickets start at $30, with proceeds supporting the Australian Tennis Foundation.
World No.1 Jannik Sinner will face Alexei Popyrin on January 7. Sinner, the reigning AO and US Open champion, has been in dominant form, winning 29 of his last 30 matches. Popyrin, known for his breakout 2024 season, has proven he can challenge the best. Their match promises thrilling tennis as both players look to build momentum before the tournament.
On January 8, Qinwen Zheng will take on Elina Svitolina. Zheng, a rising star and Olympic gold medalist, has become a top-five player. Svitolina, a former world No.3 and Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist, brings experience and grit. Their clash will showcase Zheng’s power against Svitolina’s defensive skills, making for an exciting match.
The highly anticipated match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur is also set for January 8. On January 10, the four-time Grand Slam champion will play Popyrin, while Sinner meets Stefanos Tsitsipas in a rivalry match. These games offer fans a chance to see top-tier tennis while supporting a good cause.
More must-reads:
- TE Premium Draft Strategy explained: Top fantasy football targets for 2025
- NFL Draft intel: Top QBs set to clash in ranked showdown in Death Valley
- The 'Season TD pass leaders by NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Minnesota Vikings make shocking release of popular defender as final roster cut deadline approaches
Former top-10 pick expected to be released by Packers
Linebacker Isaiah Simmons has never been able to find his potential in the NFL. As a "concept player," he's arguably one of the greatest. He's an uber-athletic 6-foot-4, 238-pound linebacker who can fly sideline-to-sideline. He's versatile as a defender, and as a college prospect, he was elite. Simmons was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 at Clemson and a unanimous All-American. There was a lot to like about Simmons in the NFL Draft, which is why he went No. 8 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. Now, five years later, he's expected to be released by the third team that has taken a shot on him. He's been with the Green Bay Packers for the majority of training camp, but he's not expected to make the team, according to reports. Again, Simmons, as a concept, is everything you want in an NFL linebacker. The problem is, and has been, that when the pads go on and it comes time to play NFL football, he's neither physical enough nor mentally disciplined enough to live up to his immense potential. He looked great at the beginning of camp for the Packers, but as soon as the preseason games started, he ended up looking like a lost sheep who was constantly out of position and constantly run over by players on offense. That won't work in the NFL, no matter your draft pedigree. He may get another opportunity in 2025 out of desperation alone, but this is not great news for Simmons' career prospects moving forward.
Packers confirm suspicion about veteran receiver on cutdown day, a move that reveals their true plans for the position
The Green Bay Packers have some tough calls to make on cutdown day. The first one was to release linebacker Isaiah Simmons. The second has been made too, and the team is releasing veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who had signed with the Packers back in March, according to Jordan Schultz. Hardman was competing with Malik Heath for the sixth wide receiver spot. However, the three-time Super Bowl champion never developed a real offensive role. He added some value as a returner, but he was behind Keisean Nixon for kickoffs and Jayden Reed for punts, limiting what he could do on the roster. Financial repercussions Mecole Hardman had signed a one-year, $1.5 million salary with the Packers. He had up to $500k available via incentives based on playing time and touchdowns. With Green Bay's decision to release him, there will be $150k in dead money, the signing bonus amount. Depth The Packers have five locks at wide receiver to make the 53-man roster: Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Savion Williams. Christian Watson is expected to start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list (PUP). Julian Hicks, Cornelius Johnson, Will Sheppard, and Isaiah Neyor have already been waived. Presumably, Malik Heath is the favorite to grab the sixth spot, if there will be one. Mecole Hardman had been the biggest veteran addition amongst skill position players for the Packers this offseason, but his contract always indicated it would be a competition for a roster spot. And based on what Hardman did in the preseason, including a muffed punt, the value wasn't there.
Jets May Pursue 'Dream WR Trade Target' After Malachi Corley Release
The New York Jets desperately need to add wide receivers to their offense or quarterback Justin Fields is going to struggle in year one with the team. Beyond Garrett Wilson, there's nothing to be too excited about in New York's wide receiver room. In fact, it's hard to tell who the second option is. To make matters even worse, the Jets recently opted to cut ties with second-year wide receiver Malachi Corley. This decision further depletes their pass-catching room. Justin Fried of the Jet Press recently urged the Jets to trade for disgruntled Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Meyers would be the dream addition for the Jets following Corley's release. Jakobi Meyers would be the dream addition for the Jets "Meyers spent the first four years of his NFL career in New England, where he developed into one of the more underrated wide receivers in football. He signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Raiders in 2023, essentially receiving the same deal the Jets gave to Allen Lazard that very offseason," Fried wrote. "While Lazard has fallen well short of expectations in New York, Meyers continued to overachieve in Vegas. The NC State product is fresh off a career year in 2024 in which he finished with 87 catches for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns. "Meyers was targeted a whopping 126 times in 2024 and wasn't credited with a single drop. His 2.3% drop rate ranks fourth-best among all NFL wide receivers since 2020, behind only DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, and Amon-Ra St. Brown." Meyers recently requested a trade from the Raiders and the Jets could benefit from this decision in a huge way. Adding the talented wideout across from Wilson would open them both up for the future. It would provide Fields with a stable second option on offense rather than having to deal with the struggles that would come with the Jets' wide receiver room. In training camp, the Jets struggled with drops. Meyers has some of the best hands in football. Pair that with his talent, and the Jets have their dream wide receiver target sitting right in front of them.
Red Sox Broadcaster Teases Highly-Anticipated Upcoming MLB Debut
There's a major question the Boston Red Sox have thus far yet to answer about their September stretch run. On Friday, the Red Sox publicly confirmed that Walker Buehler won't be in the starting rotation moving forward. It was a move that felt almost overdue, but the only reason for hesitation would be the lack of an obvious answer as to who should take over Buehler's spot. Monday's starter has yet to be determined in Buehler's absence, with rookie Richard Fitts and possible Triple-A call-up Kyle Harrison currently available. But just because one of those two will make that single start doesn't mean they're the only long-term answers. Red Sox color analyst Lou Merloni teases Payton Tolle call-up Top pitching prospect Payton Tolle has had a meteoric rise through the Boston system. The 2024 second-round pick made his minor league debut in High-A back in April, and sometime in the next couple of weeks, he could make his major league debut. On Sunday, popular Red Sox television and radio broadcaster Lou Merloni was asked on social media if he believed Tolle would make his major league debut soon, and his response was a pretty clear indication of how strongly he feels that the 22-year-old can succeed right away. "I don't see why not," Merloni said matter-of-factly. Merloni's confidence in Tolle is not unfounded. On the principle of dominating opposing hitters, there's no doubt Tolle gives the Red Sox the best chance at catching lightning in a bottle, even though he's only made three starts in Triple-A. With nine strikeouts and one hit allowed in his start on Friday, Tolle upped his K/9 to 13.1 on the year while lowering his ERA to 0.993. He blitzes hitters with an upper-nineties fastball that gets on them even faster due to an elite 7 1/2 feet of extension. His secondary pitches are works in progress, but have consistently improved throughout the year. It may be considered aggressive to promote Tolle so soon, but the Red Sox are in the aggression business this year. Merloni may not have guaranteed anything on Sunday, but it's still wise to be on high alert for more news about Tolle's immediate future.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
