Opinion: Jannik Sinner should be stripped of Australian Open title amid ‘clean sport’ disgrace

Jannik Sinner should be stripped of his Australian Open title – with his three-month doping ban another nail in the coffin of sporting integrity.

Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban will have him return in time for the French Open. Picture: Getty

The global anti-doping system is broken and Jannik Sinner’s delayed and negotiated punishment is just another nail in the coffin of sporting integrity.

The world No.1 men’s tennis player on Saturday agreed to “partial responsibility” and a three-month ban from February 9 to May 4 over two positive drug tests to clostebol from March 2024 that he blamed on his support staff.

In the time since those two tests returned positive results and the initial findings were made public last September after secret hearings and appeals – Sinner won three tournaments.

In the time since the findings were made public ahead of the US Open, shocking the tennis world and raising eyebrows across all sport, and yesterday’s decision to accept a three-month ban to be conveniently served between grand slams – Sinner won both the US and Australian Open grand slam titles, the ATP Finals in Turin and led Italy to a second straight Davis Cup title.

While being investigated over the positive drug tests, Jannik Sinner won both the Australian Open (pictured) and the US Open. Picture: AFP

He will return no prize money. Forfeit no ATP points. Hand back no titles and ultimately serve minimal punishment.

In essence, he has negotiated with WADA a three-month early season holiday perfectly timed to return for his home tournament – the Rome Open – which is the last big clay court event before the French Open starting May 25.

No wonder Nick Kyrgios branded it a “sad day for tennis” while three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka was equally scathing: “I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore.”

Sinner’s 2025 Australian Open title should be revoked. It’s a stain on the integrity of clean sport and a permanent reminder that there are rules for some and rules for others.

Sinner’s rivals have hit out at the lenient doping ban. Picture: AFP

The moment WADA decided to appeal the non-sanctioning by tennis authorities in pursuit of a 1-2 year ban, he should have been stood down from all competitions pending the final decision.

Like Xavier Cooks at the Sydney Kings who missed his club’s NBL’s finals over an illicit drug positive test that may ultimately be reduced to just a one month ban, but has cost his club their playoffs.

Or Australian doubles superstar Max Purcell, who self-reported a minor breach of intravenous rules during a Bali holiday and missed the Australian Open but could well return to the tour in the coming weeks.

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has been outspoken on Sinner’s issues throughout the saga. Picture: Getty

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the players’ union co-founded by Novak Djokovic, said the current system was clearly biased and demanded change.

“No matter who you root for, several things are now clear,” the PTPA statement said.

“The ‘system’ is not a system. It’s a club. Supposed case-by-case discretion is, in fact, merely cover for tailored deals, unfair treatment, and inconsistent rulings.

“It’s not just the different results for different players. It’s the lack of transparency. The lack of process. The lack of consistency. The last of credibility in the alphabet soup of agencies charged with regulating our sports and athletes.

“The lack of commitment from the ATP, WTA, Grand Slams, ITIA, and WADA to reform and create a fair and transparent system going forward.

“This bias is unacceptable for all athletes and shows a deep disrespect for every sport and its fans. It’s time for change. And we will change it.”

Sinner has risen to the top of the world rankings and is now a three-time grand slam champion. Picture: AFP

The Sinner farce comes at an interesting moment in time for the global fight against doping.

The United States is at war with WADA in the wake of the Chinese Olympic swimming doping scandal, as revealed by this masthead, and has pulled funding for the global doping agency.

At the same time, US president Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jnr, has thrown millions of dollars into the Enhanced Games via investment fund 1789 Capital.

“The Enhanced Games represent the future – real competition, real freedom, and real records being smashed,” Trump Jnr said.

With such powerful and connected allies gravitating towards the new sporting disrupter, you wonder where this may all end.

With faith in sporting integrity at an all-time low, with athletes and powerful governments demanding answers but getting ignored, it’s clear something must change.

Originally published as Opinion: Jannik Sinner should be stripped of Australian Open title amid ‘clean sport’ disgrace