Jannik Sinner's positive tests for the banned substance clostebol would not have happened to Novak Djokovic, according to former doubles No. 1 Nicolas Mahut.
Opinions among tennis fans, analysts, and players continue to be divided about whether Sinner deserves to receive a suspension for the positive tests or whether what happened was not his fault.
Sinner explained that the clostebol entered his system accidentally after massages from his physiotherapist, who had used a spray for a cut on his finger, not knowing the product contained traces of clostebol.
After a five-month investigation, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Sinner's explanation, and he avoided a ban. The Agency felt the world No. 1 bore no fault or negligence for his team's mistakes.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) did not agree with the ITIA when they investigated the case and appealed their verdict. WADA believes a ban of between one and two years would be appropriate.
Sinner's explanation of how the clostebol entered his system was not disputed, but WADA argues Sinner bears more fault for his team's actions than the ITIA found in their original investigation.
There has been a polarized reaction to the news of WADA's appeal. Nick Kyrgios took a dig at Sinner once WADA's decision became known, while a former Italian great rushed to Sinner's defense, claiming he was innocent.
Mahut, a five-time Grand Slam doubles champion, weighed in on the subject in comments to Eurosport. He said Sinner and his team should have been better informed about products with clostebol after a doping case involving another Italian player.
"Let me explain. A doubles player (Marco Bortolotti) found himself in the same situation as Sinner. He appealed, he was not suspended and he was cleared. The product is an over-the-counter product in Italy. So his team is aware of it."
"Sinner should have been informed that there was a product of this type in his entourage and if he used it, the physiotherapist should have washed his hands and put on gloves."
Mahut then explained why he believes that situation would never have happened to Djokovic, arguing that the Serbian's team would have been informed, which shows negligence from Sinner's team.
"If you ask me, I think he didn’t try to cheat. Yes, there was negligence. But I think what happened to him would never have happened to Novak Djokovic. And in my opinion, it would never have happened to a player like Novak because he would have been informed."
"There was negligence on the part of Sinner’s team. Internal communication, within his team, was very poor. “There was a lack of attention because other players tested positive for this product and today he finds himself in this situation. It is possible that he is innocent but suspended for negligence."
It is debated whether Sinner's team's undoubted negligence at the time should result in the 23-year-old receiving a ban. The Italian desperately hopes the appeal of his case does not result in a suspension.
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