Novak Djokovic declared that Jannik Sinner’s doping case is damaging tennis – and made the claim just minutes before the Italian’s defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at the China Open. Sinner, who won the US Open last month, twice tested positive for an anabolic steroid in March, but an independent tribunal determined he was not to blame and imposed no punishment.
The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the banned substance entered his body as a result of a massage from his physio, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger. However, the prospect of a suspension has re-emerged since the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched an appeal against a ruling of “no fault or negligence”.
WADA has lobbied the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on the 23-year-old. The appeal was lodged last Thursday but was not announced until Saturday morning, while Sinner was in action at the China Open.
The world No.1 reached Wednesday’s final in Beijing, only to see his 15-match winning streak halted by Alcaraz in three thrilling sets. Meanwhile, Djokovic was appearing at a press conference at the Shanghai Masters.
The 24-time grand slam winner criticised the way the Sinner case was being handled, highlighting “way too many inconsistencies” and “way too many governing bodies”.
Pressed on WADA’s recent intervention, Djokovic said: “I think it’s quite obvious that we have a system that is not working well. I guess that’s probably something that even the people who are not following our sport are realising.
“There’s way too many inconsistencies, way too many governing bodies involved. Just this whole case is not helping our sport at all.
“I think he has won the three appeals so far that he had and it must be very tough for him and his team and family. Hopefully, we can go back to tennis.
“It’s impressive what he was been doing, in the whole process of what’s been happening, that he’s playing such a high level, winning grand slams and winning most of the matches that he plays.
“But this situation or these circumstances are not positive for our sport, so hopefully we can resolve this case as soon as possible. Whatever’s going to happen, at the end of the day, I just wish for it to be resolved as soon as possible. That’s all I have to say about that.”
Speaking after news of WADA’s appeal came to light, Sinner said: “I’m very disappointed and also surprised by the appeal, to be honest. I was not expecting it. Maybe they just want to make sure everything is in the right position.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk