Stan Wawrinka harshly criticizes anti-doping systems for ‘harming tennis’ amid Jannik Sinner’s doping controversy
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has unleashed a scathing critique of tennis’s anti-doping systems, arguing they are “harming” the sport’s integrity amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner’s doping case. In an interview with Eurosport France on April 27, 2025, the 40-year-old Swiss veteran expressed deep frustration over the handling of Sinner’s three-month suspension, echoing sentiments he first shared on X in February: “I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore.”
Sinner, the world No. 1, tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, twice in March 2024 during Indian Wells. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) initially cleared him, accepting that the substance entered his system inadvertently through massages from his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, who used a clostebol-containing spray on a cut. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a one- to two-year ban. In February 2025, Sinner and WADA settled on a three-month ban from February 9 to May 4, allowing him to return for the Italian Open and Roland Garros without losing titles or prize money.
Wawrinka criticized the process’s lack of transparency and inconsistent rulings. “The way it was handled, the communication, the fact that it wasn’t known from the beginning—it takes away credibility,” he told Eurosport France. “Some players get suspended for two years for forgetting to report their address, while others get three months with a good lawyer. You wonder what the fight is—catching dopers or just navigating legal loopholes?” He argued that such cases damage tennis’s image, a sentiment reinforced by his March comments to Corriere dello Sport, where he also referenced Iga Swiatek’s one-month ban in 2024 for a separate doping violation.
The backlash wasn’t universal. Sinner’s fans on X slammed Wawrinka, with some accusing him of jealousy and others dredging up unverified personal allegations to discredit him. Former player Feliciano Lopez defended Sinner, arguing the three-month ban was fair since Sinner “hasn’t done anything to enhance his performance.” Nick Kyrgios, however, aligned with Wawrinka, calling the settlement “dodgy” and questioning fairness, noting Sinner’s team secured a deal that preserved his titles.
Wawrinka’s critique highlights deeper issues in tennis’s anti-doping framework. Players like Denis Shapovalov have previously called out perceived double standards, noting Sinner’s case was expedited compared to others. The Professional Tennis Players Association also criticized the “lack of transparency” and “bias” in the process. As Wawrinka, ranked No. 158, prepares for the Italian Open, his outspoken stance—despite his own 1-7 record in 2025—underscores a call for reform to restore trust in the sport.
