Novak Djokovic voiced his frustration regarding the handling of doping cases involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek during a press conference in Australia. While he stated he is “not questioning whether Jannik Sinner took the banned substance intentionally or not,” he expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency surrounding their situations until investigations concluded.
Just days before the US Open, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that Sinner, the top-ranked ATP player, had tested positive for clostebol twice in March. However, he faced no suspension after providing an explanation that was accepted by the ITIA, which ruled he was not at fault.
In late November, following the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, the ITIA disclosed that Swiatek’s sample from August tested positive for trimetazidine, resulting in a provisional suspension of 22 days post-US Open. Unlike Sinner, Swiatek received a symbolic one-month ban, which expired during the offseason.
Djokovic emphasized his concerns about the lack of communication regarding Sinner’s case, stating, “I’ve been really frustrated… to see we’ve been kept in the dark for at least five months. The ATP hasn’t really talked in depth about it. Why have they kept that case away from the public?”
He compared the situation to the cases of Simona Halep and Swiatek, remarking, “It’s not a good image for our sport.” Djokovic questioned the fairness of the system, suggesting that players may not be treated equally due to differences in ranking, financial backing, or legal resources.
The ITIA has faced criticism for its handling of both cases, with some alleging double standards. Djokovic’s comments mark a significant call for accountability and clarity in the management of doping allegations within the sport.
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