Rafael Nadal goes to bat for Jannik Sinner amid doping scandal

When World No. 1 Jannik Sinner avoided punishment last month despite testing posting for a banned substance, controversy ensued.

John McEnroe, in particular, blasted the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for not enforcing a uniform approach to doping issues, citing the case of Simona Halep, who spent 18 months suspended for a similar violation.

Amid all the chatter of double standards from the ITIA, Rafael Nadal has gone to bat for Sinner, saying that the anti-doping organizations must be trusted. 

"I have a virtue, which is that in the end I usually believe in people's good faith. I know Sinner, I don't believe he has ever wanted to dope," Nadal told Spanish show "El Hormiguero" on Monday. "I don't think we have to like it only when it is resolved in the way we think. In the end, justice is justice and I believe in justice. I believe in the bodies that have to make decisions and that really make them based on what they believe is right."

Sinner, who tested positive for the steroid clostebol in March, was cleared by a tribunal. They discovered that his physiotherapist applied a spray to a cut on his own hand before carrying out treatments on the tennis star. The ITIA then cleared the Italian after he failed two drug tests, determining that the amount of clostebol in his system was less than a billionth of a gram.

When asked if authorities had given Sinner preferential treatment, Nadal responded, "No. I do not believe that because he is Sinner, he will not be sanctioned and because he is someone else he will be sanctioned. I really believe that and I am convinced of it."

Nadal said he respects the opinion of Nick Kyrgios, who felt Sinner should have been suspended, while doubling down on his faith in the ITIA. 

"The opinion of others is also totally respectable. But, well, this is my opinion," said the 22-time major winner. 

Sinner will face Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals of the 2024 U.S. Open on Wednesday. The Italian is trying to win his second major of the year following his Australian Open victory.