'Can't Wish Any Player To Go Through This': Sinner Given Praise And Support By Rival
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Many have criticized the handling of Jannik Sinner's doping case. However, the ATP world No. 1 received personal support from Andrey Rublev.
Over three months have passed since Sinner's case became public a few days before the US Open. He twice tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol at March's Indian Wells Open.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) five-month investigation into the case was kept private until it cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing. His only punishment was losing the ranking points and prize money earned in Indian Wells.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the case, arguing Sinner bore more fault than the ITIA found in its investigation. The Court of Arbitration for Sport will rule on the case sometime in 2025.
Iga Swiatek also tested positive for a banned substance, becoming public knowledge on November 28th. She accepted a one-month suspension after proving melatonin, a legal product, had been contaminated.
Andrea Petkovic stated that both cases were a terrible look for tennis. She also believes Swiatek did not mean to take the prohibited substance and thinks the 23-year-old explained the news well in a lengthy online video.
Reaction to Sinner's case specifically has been mixed. Denis Shapovalov criticized the lack of transparency since the five-month investigation was kept private and feels other players accused of doping were not treated in the same way.
Nick Kyrgios has been a vocal critic of Sinner. He thinks any player who tests positive for a prohibited substance should receive an automatic two-year suspension and has spread theories about how long clostebol stays in a person's system.
Sinner has also received support from many. One of his biggest defenders is the Italian Davis Cup captain, Filippo Volandri, who said the ATP world No. 1 receiving a suspension would be one of the gravest injustices in sports history.
10-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist and Madrid Open champion Rublev can be added to the players who have backed Sinner. The 27-year-old told Eurosport that the anxiety Sinner has experienced is something he would not wish on anyone.
"You can't wish any player to go through this. I can't imagine the stress or anxiety he felt during this entire period. He managed very well, he continued to play at his best level and managed to dominate the circuit despite everything by winning titles. It's very impressive."
Rublev also commented on the anti-doping procedures more broadly. He thinks the rules should be made more understandable and that they are much stricter in tennis than other sports.
"I think the anti-doping system should be a little more understandable. In tennis, the rules are super strict, more so than in other sports. I feel like every little mistake, even when it's unintentional, can threaten your career."
Hearing a colleague near the top of the ATP Tour offering support might be some comfort to Sinner. He might need it after a well-known sports lawyer recently argued that the 23-year-old would receive a ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
However, that is not guaranteed, and the process will determine what happens to Sinner sometime next year.
