Swiss star Stan Wawrinka has voiced serious concerns about the way Jannik Sinner’s doping case has been managed, suggesting it has damaged the integrity of tennis.
The case surrounding the 23-year-old Italian has been a topic of controversy since last year, when Sinner faced allegations after testing positive twice for clostebol, a banned substance. Initially, Sinner avoided suspension after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled in his favor, citing that the contamination was accidental — linked to his physiotherapist treating a cut on his finger.
WADA Intervention and Settlement
However, the situation escalated when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged the ITIA’s verdict, appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and seeking a two-year suspension. The case concluded in February 2025, with Sinner and WADA reaching an agreement for a three-month suspension.
The outcome sparked backlash across the tennis world. Leading players, including Novak Djokovic, raised concerns about inconsistent application of anti-doping rules, hinting that not all players are treated equally.
Wawrinka Speaks Out
Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has been consistently critical of how the case was handled. Speaking recently to Eurosport France, the 40-year-old reiterated his belief that the episode has harmed the sport’s credibility.
“We’ve seen in recent years that some players were suspended for two years just for incorrectly reporting their whereabouts,” Wawrinka said. “This case has been handled in a way that, in my opinion, damages tennis because it leaves you questioning what fight we are really waging. Are we truly trying to catch dopers, or is it all about having the best lawyer?”
