What Did Novak Djokovic Say About Jannik Sinner’s Doping Case?

“The situation was handled terribly,” Novak Djokovic stated during a press conference in Brisbane on December 29 when asked about the doping scandal involving world number one Jannik Sinner.

Legal System and Doping Cases in Tennis

Djokovic believes that the legal system has not been applied equally in recent doping cases in the tennis world. According to the Serbian player, information regarding Sinner’s doping case was kept hidden for half a year, an unusually long period compared to other players. He said, “Everything is inconsistent and opaque, which has disappointed me and many other players. Up to now, ATP has still not explained why they kept this hidden for so long.”

Comparing Sinner’s Case with Other Doping Incidents

Djokovic compared Sinner’s case to past instances, such as Simona Halep, the female player who was immediately banned after testing positive for a banned substance. Halep had to wait a year and a half before her ban was reduced. More recently, Iga Swiatek, the world’s top female player for the past five years, was also banned for a month after failing a doping test.

Djokovic’s Concerns About the Anti-Doping System

“I’m really puzzled by how the anti-doping system works. Why was this case handled differently from the others?” Djokovic questioned. He also speculated that the company supporting Sinner financially might have helped him appeal the case with a stronger legal team.

Nick Kyrgios’ Criticism of the Doping Process

Before Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, the Australian tennis player, had also strongly criticized Sinner and doping organizations such as ATP and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for how they handled and disclosed the information regarding the case. Kyrgios agreed with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), stating that Sinner should be banned for one to two years.