Andrey Rublev Criticizes Doping System After French Open Loss to Jannik Sinner
Following his 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of the 2025 French Open on June 2, Andrey Rublev voiced strong concerns about the tennis anti-doping system, particularly regarding Sinner’s doping case. The world No. 15 Russian criticized what he perceived as preferential treatment in Sinner’s handling, highlighting inconsistencies in how doping cases are managed across the sport.
Sinner, the world No. 1, tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol twice in March 2024 at Indian Wells. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled he bore “no fault or negligence” after accepting his explanation of contamination via a healing spray used by his physiotherapist. Sinner was allowed to continue playing during the investigation, avoiding an immediate suspension. After an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Sinner accepted a three-month ban from February to April 2025, missing no Grand Slams and returning at the Italian Open. Rublev, in an interview with BB Tennis, expressed frustration, stating, “In Sinner’s case, they did everything quickly. They allowed him to play during the investigation. In contrast, we have Halep’s case, how long did she wait for the investigation to start? She couldn’t play for a year or something. That’s the problem.” He pointed to other cases, like Jenson Brooksby and Mikael Ymer, who faced two-year suspensions for missing doping tests, not even testing positive, underscoring the system’s harshness and inconsistency.
Rublev emphasized that his critique was not aimed at Sinner personally but at the broader anti-doping framework, which he called “probably wrong” for its lack of transparency and fairness. “You can’t even make a small mistake,” he said, citing cases where players faced severe penalties for minor oversights. Despite his loss, Rublev acknowledged Sinner’s dominance, noting the Italian’s 18-match Grand Slam win streak and flawless Roland Garros performance. Rublev’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among players, echoed by figures like Nick Kyrgios, who demanded stricter penalties, and others calling for clearer, more equitable anti-doping protocols to protect the sport’s integrity.
