Jannik Sinner Denies Preferential Treatment Amid Controversy Over Doping Suspension

Posted : 01 May 2025

Jannik Sinner has firmly denied claims that he received preferential treatment from anti-doping authorities, as he prepares to return to action at next week's Italian Open in Rome. This follows a three-month suspension due to two positive tests for traces of clostebol in March of the previous year, which sparked controversy and angered some members of the men’s tennis circuit.

Sinner's exoneration by both the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) came in August, as both organizations accepted that he had not gained any competitive advantage from the banned substance and that the contamination was accidental.

Sinner responded to criticism during an interview with public broadcaster RAI, where he addressed the suspicion that he had been treated leniently compared to other players who have tested positive. He emphasized that he underwent numerous hearings and additional testing, adding, “I've been criticized for supposedly being treated differently, but it's not true.”

He also expressed that while people are free to form their own opinions, the only thing that matters to him is his personal understanding of what he went through, describing it as a difficult experience he wouldn't wish on anyone.

The controversy surrounding his suspension came as a result of the initial potential for a two-year ban, before Sinner agreed to a three-month suspension after WADA appealed the ITIA’s exoneration decision.

While WADA acknowledged that Sinner had no intention to cheat, the agreement nonetheless triggered significant anger among sections of the tennis world, including criticism from Olympic swimmer Federica Pellegrini. Sinner defended his case, explaining that the clostebol entered his system through a spray used by his physiotherapist to treat a cut, insisting there was no intent to cheat.

Amidst the suspension, Sinner had reached the height of his tennis career, winning eight titles in 2024, including Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and the US Open.

However, he admitted to facing a personal low point during the Australian Open, where he considered quitting tennis due to the uncomfortable atmosphere in the dressing room. Sinner revealed that the scrutiny from other players made him feel isolated, stating that he no longer felt at ease in the locker room, a stark contrast to his usual lighthearted demeanor.

Jannik Sinner Denies Preferential Treatment Amid Controversy Over Doping Suspension

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