By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday August 21, 2024
The revelation that Jannik Sinner failed not one but two doping tests in March, and both times was able to avoid suspension in the nick of time, before anybody outside of his inner circle knew what was going on, has sent shockwaves through the tennis community this week.
First of all, it’s just stunning to see that the world’s top player 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 ATP’s top player, in the midst of his breakout season. Tough timing.
Second, what we’re learning about the way that ITIA and Sinner’s team were able to systematically cover up all violations and avoid making the case public for the last five months gives us the impression that we’re all being duped.
This lack of transparency makes us wonder: what else is going on that we have absolutely no idea about? Any one who has ever read Andre Agassi's autobiography "Open" knows that some stories never get told.
The notion that Sinner may have been given preferential treatment in his fight to clear his name is valid. Whether true or not, it’s worth it to drill down and ask the difficult questions in the hopes that it helps the powers that be ensure a level playing field (well, as level as we can get it, let’s not be too naive).
And that is precisely what many top players are doing as they take to social media to join in the debate over this shocking development in our sport.
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While many believe Sinner’s argument and don’t think he was really doping, based on what is in the ITIA’s (International Tennis Integrity Agency) full decision of the independent tribunal that decided the case, there is still the perception that he was let off easier than other players who are lower-ranked and who lack the financial means to hire elite litigators to defend them.
Even Halep, who didn’t lack means, had her case dragged through the media over several years before she could be reinstated. Granted, her case was deemed a bit more unacceptable in terms of levels of banned substance in her system. Still, her treatment was decidedly different from Sinner’s, and the contrast is glaring.
Other players, such as Tara Moore, lack the funds and are in debt after hiring lawyers to try to get them out of trouble.
Naturally, when the World No.1 gets into this type of trouble there will be a response. Nick Kyrgios, Denis Shapovalov, Liam Broady, Gastao Elias and others took to X to voice frustration. What follows is a sampling of the commentary.
Nick Kyrgios called for a two-year ban. But given the levels in Sinner’s system, not sure that’s a good call.
Greg Rusedski calls for fairness, now this makes sense.
Liam Broady echoes those sentiments.
Denis Shapovalov seeks a level playing field as well. Can you blame him?
John Millman, who took the time to read the ITIA’s case file, states that Sinner is likely not at fault but adds that the ITIA should protect players like this – he says it’s better than the “butchering” they did to Simona Halep. Hard to argue with that.