Some players and fans are unhappy with how Jannik Sinner's doping case has been handled, and Lucas Pouille believes there are double standards in how he was treated compared to others.
The question of whether Sinner was given more favorable treatment than others accused of doping is contentious, and players and analysts have various opinions on the subject.
Sinner was not provisionally suspended and had his case kept private while the International Tennis Integrity Agency(ITIA) investigated and eventually cleared him, leading to the accusations of the Italian being given better treatment than others.
Grigor Dimitrov admitted Sinner's doping case made him question whether double standards exist in how investigations were handled, although the Bulgarian did not have anything personal against Sinner.
However, others, such as Andy Murray's former coach, Mark Petchey, say Sinner followed the rules in how he reacted to the positive tests and that no two doping cases are identical.
Unfortunately for Sinner, his doping saga was extended when the World Anti-Doping Agency decided to appeal the ITIA's case. The body is seeking a suspension of between one and two years for the Italian.
WADA argues that Sinner bears more fault for his positive tests than the ITIA's investigation found, even though it does not dispute the 23-year-old's explanation of how the banned substance entered his system.
Pouille spoke about the issue in an interview with the French website Tennis Actu. The 2019 Australian Open semifinalist does not think Sinner took anything intentionally but believes there are double standards in the case.
"Jannik Sinner was cleared by an independent tribunal. Now, it’s the WADA that is appealing. Once again, it’s going in all directions. We don’t really know what’s going on. Are there double standards? I would say yes. He was cleared, good for him. I don’t think he took anything intentionally."
The Frenchman argues that players are responsible for everything that goes into their bodies, whether that is deliberately or without their knowledge, meaning Sinner was fortunate not to be banned for his failed tests.
"He’s a player I really liked, who I loved watching play, but for me, when you sign the anti-doping papers, you are responsible for everything you put into your body. It’s not a small product."
Pouille also thinks there are too many entities involved with the cases, which complicates the process. He mentioned that the tennis circuit already has four different bodies, and that gets added to doping cases.
"I think we’re lost with the different entities. Beyond all the medical authorities, the tennis circuit already has the ATP, the ITF, the Grand Slams and the WTA."
Sinner has to manage his anxiety about the case before a verdict is reached, which is reported to be coming in the early months of 2025. His US Open triumph showed he can do that, but it must be challenging.
Most accept that Sinner did not mean to take the banned substance. Whether he should be banned anyway for his positive tests will eventually be decided.
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