Sinner's Three-Month Doping Ban Timing 'Little Bit Too Convenient' Says Former No. 4
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Former Wimbledon semifinalist Tim Henman has questioned the timing of Jannik Sinner's case resolution with the World Anti-Doping Agency, finding the degree to which it suits the Italian strange.
Sinner was set to have an appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on April 16th and 17th, but that was no longer needed after his team and WADA agreed to a three-month ban to end the case.
WADA initially wanted a ban of between one and two years after Sinner tested positive for the banned substance clostebol, which is why the governing body had appealed the International Tennis Integrity Agency's verdict that cleared him of wrongdoing.
Sinner's suspension is from February 9th until May 4th. That means he will miss many important tournaments, including the Masters 1000 events at the Indian Wells Open, Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters, and Madrid Open.
However, the ATP world No. 1 will not be absent from any Grand Slam tournaments, with the French Open scheduled for a couple of weeks after the suspension ends. Sinner can also compete at the Italian Open, starting a few days after the ban is lifted.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Henman admitted he found the timing suspicious and overly convenient. At the same time, the former British No. 1 made it clear that he does not think Sinner ever meant to cheat when he tested positive.
"First and foremost, I don’t think in any way he has been trying to cheat at any stage, I don’t believe that. However, when I read this statement this morning it just seems a little bit too convenient."
"Obviously having just won the Australian Open, to miss three months of the Tour and therefore to be eligible to play at Roland Garros, the timing couldn’t have been any better for Sinner, but I still think it leaves a pretty sour taste for the sport."
Henman pointed out that doping cases usually reach a binary verdict between guilty and not guilty. He does not believe that Sinner's case being settled before the CAS hearing will sit well with many players and fans.
"When you’re dealing with drugs in sport it very much has to be black and white, it’s binary, it’s positive or negative, you’re banned or you’re not banned. When you start reading words like settlement or agreement, it feels like there’s been a negotiation and I don’t think that will sit well with the player cohort and the fans of the sport."
The length of the case also bothers Henman. Almost 12 months have passed since Sinner tested positive in Indian Wells, and the former ATP player thinks having cases drag on for so long damages the sport.
"He tested positive in Indian Wells in March, a long time ago, and to have had this cloud over his head also emphasises how we need to get to these conclusions a lot quicker. From Sinner’s point of view, he will be very keen to serve his ban, draw a line in the sand and get ready for Roland Garros, which is such a big priority for him.”"
