By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday 21 August 2024
The discovery that Jannik the Sinner failed not one but two doping tests in March, and both times was able to avoid suspension in time before anyone outside his inner circle knew what was going on, has sent shockwaves through the tennis community this week.
First of all, it is simply amazing to see that the best player in the world has found himself in such a situation. Yes, there have been big name doping scandals in tennis before, Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep are the big names that come to mind. But never the best player in the ATP, in the middle of his first season. Hard time.
Second, what we are learning about how ITIA and the Sinner team were able to systematically cover up all the violations and avoid making the matter public for the past five months gives us the impression that we are all being duped.
This lack of transparency makes us wonder: what else is going on that we have absolutely no idea about? Anyone who has ever read Andre Agassi’s autobiography Open knows that some stories are never told.
The notion that Sinner may have been given preferential treatment in his fight to clear his name is valid. Whether it’s true or not, it’s worth training and asking the tough questions in the hope that it will help the powers that be ensure a level playing field (well, as much as we can, let’s not be too naive).
And that’s exactly what many top players are doing as they take to social media to join the debate over this shocking development in our sport.
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While many believe Sinner’s argument and do not think he was indeed doping, based on what is in the full judgment of the independent tribunal ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) that decided the case, there is still a perception that he was released more easily. than other players who are lower ranked and lack the financial means to hire elite parties to protect them.
Even Halep, who did not lack the means, had her case drag on in the media for several years before she was reinstated. Understandably, her case was deemed slightly more unacceptable in terms of the levels of the banned substance in her system. However, her treatment was completely different from Sinner’s and the contrast is palpable.
other players, like Tara Moorethey lack funds and are in debt after hiring lawyers to get them out of trouble.
Of course, when the world No. 1 gets into this kind of trouble, there will be an answer. Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov, Liam Broady, Gastao Elias and others took to X to express their frustration. The following is a sample comment.
Nick Kyrgios called for a two-year ban. But given the levels in Sinner’s system, I’m not sure that’s a good call.
Funny – if it was accidental or planned. You are tested twice with a banned substance (steroids)… you must have been away for 2 years. Your performance improved. Massage cream…. Yes, beautiful 🙄 https://t.co/13qR0F9nH2
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 20, 2024
Greg Rusedski calls for justice, now that makes sense.
The whole Jannik Sinner case is interesting in how quickly it is handled compared to other cases that have taken many months and years. How is this accepted and resolved so quickly? The system should do better for all players, not just the best?
— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) August 21, 2024
Liam Broady echoes those sentiments.
Whether Sinner was doped or not. This is not right. Many players go through the same thing and have to wait months or years for their innocence to be declared. Not a good look https://t.co/kaqMJy36wi
— Liam Broady (@Liambroady) August 20, 2024
Denis Shapovalov also wants a level playing field. Can you blame him?
Different rules for different players
— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) August 20, 2024
I can’t imagine what every other player who has been sent off for contaminated substances feels right now
— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) August 20, 2024
John Millman, who took the time to read the ITIA case file, states that Sinner is likely not to blame, but adds that the ITIA should protect players like this – he says it’s better than “butchering” that they did to Simona Halep. Hard to argue with that.
Before jumping to conclusions, Jannik Sinner had less than a billionth of a gram in his system.. I believe him 💯.. maybe we should change the threshold to take care of contamination.
Finally, why make a fuss about this when we allow athletes in all sports, including tennis, to abuse TUEs?– John Millman (@johnhmillman) August 20, 2024
