Jannik Sinner, a 23-year-old tennis player from Italy, is preparing to return to competitive play following a three-month ban due to a positive test for a banned substance. As a result, Sinner received a suspension from February 9 until May 4, 2023. This sentence stemmed from his positive test for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid, in March of last year. He’s looking forward to his return now at the Italian Open on May 7. At the same time, advocacy from industry peers is white hot.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) managed the disciplinary proceedings against Sinner. Sinner just avoided a ban — by the skin of his teeth. The ruling ITIA concluded that he had not committed any fault for the positive tests. Though Sinner lost his last match, he is not dissuaded by it. He is deeply dedicated to the sport and cares about following the anti-doping rules and responsibility.
“I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love.” – Jannik Sinner
Sinner, now a Grand Slam winner after his triumph at the Australian Open earlier this year, has developed a close friendship with British player Jack Draper. Perhaps this is why Draper has publicly defended Sinner. He feels the ongoing negative scrutiny that Sinner is receiving after the doping allegations needs to be called out.
“In terms of actually how I feel about him as a person, I think it’s important for people to know and recognize that the guy’s very, very kind-hearted and a good human being,” said Jack Draper.
Draper added, “So he doesn’t deserve any of the hate that he gets.”
Not all reactions have been supportive. As pro veteran Novak Djokovic cautioned the broader implications of Sinner’s case for his sport. He worried about it projecting “not a positive picture for our sport.” He argued that under these conditions members of the public will naturally come to see favoritism in the application of anti-doping enforcement.
Recent public comments by tennis legend Serena Williams only serve to underscore the unequal treatment of players. Williams argued that if she had been in the same scenario, she would have been punished much more severely.
“If the same thing had happened to me, I would have been banned for 20 years and gotten grand slams taken away,” commented Serena Williams.
Naturally, Sinner is looking forward to being back on court. Advocates don’t want this unique case to set a bad precedent that does permanent harm to Mahomes’ career. Liam Broady stated that efforts should be made to “impact Jannik’s career as little as possible.”
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