'I Don’t Believe In A Clean Sport Anymore' – Slam Winner Reacts To Jannik Sinner’s Ban

WADA initially wanted a 1-2 year suspension for Sinner but ended up settling for a three-month ban. This didn’t go well with some players including three-time Grand Slam winner, Stan Wawrinka who posted on his X:

Two-time Slam champion and former world No.1, Yevgeny Kafelnikov also questioned the decision and tweeted: “I just don’t get it!! If you are absolutely 100% sure of your innocence(as he was before with his lawyers), why are you accepting a 3-month ban?? makes no sense to me.”

Nick Kyrgios, as expected had a lot to say too. “So WADA come out and say it would be a 1-2 year ban. Obviously, Sinner’s team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a 3-month ban. no titles lost, no prize money lost. Guilty or not? Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist.” said the former Wimbledon finalist.

One of Great Britain’s former greats, Tim Henman, felt the outcome of the Sinner case was “convenient” for the player most of all.

It looks like the majority of players disagree with the decision and have spoken their minds. And I can understand where they are coming from. Although WADA has accepted that Sinner did not intend to cheat and as much as Clostebol didn’t help him, the ban just looks bad. It’s very clear it frees him up on time to play the tournaments he wants (Rome/French Open), which makes it look like the organization is favouring him even more, which is what the main accusation has been this whole time.

On the other hand, this is a legal settlement between two parties – so as much as this could favour Sinner (he puts this away now and doesn’t miss Slams) it must also favour WADA (meaning Sinner would have gotten less than 3 months from the CAS verdict.) It’s not like WADA decided to do the Italian star a favour out of the blue after intentionally appealing his case. Perhaps they suggested this because it was advantageous to them, and they knew he would agree since it would help him by ensuring he doesn’t miss any Slams. He might not have agreed to the arrangement if they had demanded more time.

Feliciano Lopez Defends Sinner

While most of the locker room disagrees with the decision, former world No.12 Feliciano Lopez has come to Sinner’s aid. The Spaniard replied to Wawrinka’s post. He said:

“It’s very clear he (Sinner) hasn’t done anything to enhance his performance, that’s proven. He’s taking full responsibility for others’ mistake and 3 months suspension consequently. Longer suspension would’ve made sport cleaner? I don’t think so.”

This disagreement from Lopez doesn’t come as a surprise as he has retired from tennis and is now a tournament director, so he’s going to be on the other side of this to Wawrinka.

Former American #1 Andy Roddick responded to the ban on his podcast, and sided with Sinner, believing that Sinner’s trainer is the one responsible for the positive test.