Swimming Legend Federica Pellegrini Criticizes Jannik Sinner’s WADA Agreement
As Jannik Sinner nears his return to the ATP tour, his situation continues to stir debate. The Italian star is set to play in the Rome Masters 1000, which is the last major event before Roland Garros. The 23-year-old has been serving a three-month ban following his agreement with WADA, which led to him missing six tournaments, including four Masters 1000 events.
Despite his desire to contest the ban, Sinner ultimately accepted the agreement, as his legal team advised it was the best compromise. This decision meant missing key tournaments, but it also allowed him to return during the quieter part of the season, just in time for the French Open. Sinner is expected to play in Hamburg before heading to Paris at the end of May.
However, not everyone is supportive of Sinner’s handling of the situation. Swimming legend Federica Pellegrini, in a recent interview with La Repubblica, reiterated her stance on the matter. “I understand that Jannik has become a national idol, and people tend to defend him at every opportunity,” she said. “But I believe he has been treated differently than others.”
Pellegrini added, “If a member of my team uses a cream that contains a banned substance and I test positive, the responsibility falls on me. This principle applies to everyone, and Sinner is no exception.”
Despite the controversy surrounding his WADA agreement, Sinner will return to the ATP tour as the world number 1, with his fans eagerly awaiting his comeback on home soil in Rome.
