Novak Djokovic takes aim at the ATP’s handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case
Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic has expressed his frustration over the handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case, backing Nick Kyrgios’ assessment about the inconsistency surrounding the saga.
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Tennis great Novak Djokovic says a lack of transparency in the sport when it comes to doping matters has left him feeling “really frustrated”.
Italian star Jannik Sinner twice tested positive in March for the banned steroid clostebol, but he wasn’t suspended after successfully arguing to the International Tennis Integrity Agency that the steroid entered his system through contamination from his physiotherapist.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while Australian star Nick Kyrgios slammed the integrity of the sport.
Djokovic said Kyrgios, his doubles partner at the Brisbane International, had some “fair points when it comes to transparency and consistency with protocols and case-to-case comparables”.
“The issue is the inconsistency and the transparency,” Djokovic said on Sunday.
“We’re being kept in the dark with Jannik’s case.
“I’m not questioning whether he took the banned substance intentionally or not. I believe in a clean sport. I believe that the player will do everything possible to be playing fair.
“I’ve known Jannik since he was very young, so he doesn’t strike me as somebody that would do such thing, but I’ve been really frustrated, as have most of the other players, to see that we’ve been kept in dark for (several) months since he was receiving that news,
“The ATP hasn’t really talked in depth about it. Why have they kept that case away from the public?
“It’s not a good image and not a good look for our sport. I believe that in the last 20-plus years that I’ve been playing on a professional tour, that we’ve been one of the cleanest sports – at least I believe we have been – so I will keep on believing in that clean sport.”
The 24-time Grand Slam singles tournament winner has questioned some of the inconsistencies appearing in tennis doping cases.
“I’m just questioning the way the system works, and why certain players are not treated the same like the other players,” 37-year-old Djokovic said.
“We see maybe some ranking reasons are behind it, or maybe some players have more financial backing, or stronger teams, legal teams, to tackle these cases and to deal with them.
“We’ve had plenty of players that we’ve seen in the past, and also currently, that are under suspension for not even being tested on the banned substances, missing the doping tests. and some players that are lower-ranked, waiting for their case to be resolved for over a year.”
Djokovic said Krygios was “quite a character”, and was looking forward to playing alongside him this week at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
“We have had quite an interesting history of relationship, him and I, from not that great at all to getting along really well now, so it should be fun for us on the court, and also for everyone watching,” he said.
The pair are also chasing singles glory at the Brisbane International as they step up preparations for the upcoming Australian Open.
“I’m looking for a good start to the season, I’m looking for a more consistent level of play across all the tournaments that I’m going to participate in,” world No.7 Djokovic said.
“I’m planning to play a few more tournaments this year than I played last season. so hopefully also the level is going to go up, and as a consequence, I’ll be able to hopefully win a few tournaments and get my ranking higher.”
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Originally published as Novak Djokovic takes aim at the ATP’s handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case