Controversy Surrounds Jannik Sinner’s Doping Case Handling
The handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case has drawn widespread criticism from both players and insiders, with many expressing frustration over the lack of transparency. Authorities kept the case under wraps for months after it began in March 2024, leading to concerns over the delayed disclosure.
Additionally, several players found it unusual that Sinner’s provisional suspension was revoked so quickly. Before the ITIA ruling was announced just before the 2024 US Open, the former world No. 1 was able to compete without restrictions, achieving remarkable results during that period.
After WADA appealed the ITIA’s decision to acquit Sinner, the three-time Grand Slam champion was scheduled to stand trial before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne on April 16 and 17. The 23-year-old faced the risk of a one-to-two-year suspension, a ruling that could have severely impacted his career.
However, in an announcement released last Saturday, it was revealed that Sinner and WADA had reached a settlement. Under the agreement, the Italian will serve a three-month suspension from February 9 to May 4.
While Sinner will miss six tournaments during this period, he will be eligible to return for the Rome Masters 1000 in front of his home crowd and, most importantly, for the French Open.
Mouratoglou Weighs in on Sinner’s Case
Renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou, speaking via his official Instagram account, shared his thoughts on the situation. The former coach of Serena Williams criticized the handling of the case while expressing his belief in Sinner’s innocence.
“I don’t think he doped intentionally. I know his mentality, and he’s a great guy, so I never thought he would try to cheat,” Mouratoglou stated.
“Secondly, when such low levels of a banned substance are found, in 90% of cases, it indicates accidental contamination. Sinner is clearly a victim,” he concluded.
Following the announcement, the world No. 1 took a short break in Dubai before preparing for his return to competition.
