Novak Djokovic has voiced concerns over what he perceives as “favouritism” in the handling of Jannik Sinner’s recent doping suspension. The Serbian star claimed that many players believe the Italian received a lenient punishment compared to others who have faced similar cases.
Sinner reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) following two positive drug tests in March of the previous year. His explanation that the banned substance clostebol entered his system through inadvertent contamination from his physio was accepted. Despite this, WADA acknowledged that the player bore responsibility for his team’s negligence. As a result, Sinner was handed a three-month suspension, starting from 9 February and ending on 4 May, allowing him to return in time for the French Open.
Speaking at the Qatar Open, Djokovic criticized the way the case was handled, stating that many players in the locker room shared his concerns. He suggested that top players with access to the best legal teams could influence the outcome of such cases. He also pointed out inconsistencies in how doping cases are handled, referencing past instances where less prominent players faced longer suspensions or lengthy investigations before receiving a verdict.
The controversy surrounding Sinner’s case follows another high-profile doping issue in tennis, involving world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. She received a one-month suspension in November after testing positive for trimetazidine, a substance found in medication she was taking for jet lag. The authorities accepted that the positive test was due to contamination, leading to a significantly reduced ban.
In contrast, Simona Halep was initially handed a four-year suspension in 2022, though it was later reduced to nine months. Similarly, British player Tara Moore was suspended for 18 months while her case was investigated, before it was eventually determined that contaminated meat was the cause of her positive test. Djokovic highlighted these disparities, stating that the system lacks consistency and fairness.
Moore expressed her thoughts on the matter, clarifying that she did not blame Sinner but hoped the case would lead to a fairer approach for all players. She emphasized the importance of equal treatment, urging that future cases be handled with the same efficiency and leniency.
British player Liam Broady also questioned the timing of Sinner’s ban, suggesting that it had been structured to minimize the impact on his career. The suspension ends just before the Rome Masters, allowing Sinner to return at his home country’s most prestigious tournament before heading into the French Open without major consequences.
Meanwhile, Jack Draper acknowledged that Sinner may not have intentionally taken a banned substance but stressed that all players must take responsibility for what enters their bodies. He noted that even a short suspension is detrimental to the sport and its reputation.
The discussion has reignited calls for a review of the anti-doping system in tennis, with Djokovic and other players urging governing bodies to establish a more transparent and consistent approach to handling such cases.
