Stefanos Tsitsipas gets real about why he won’t judge Jannik Sinner after doping ban divides tennis world
Stefanos Tsitsipas Weighs in on Jannik Sinner’s Doping Ban
Stefanos Tsitsipas has addressed the controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner’s doping case, acknowledging the complexity of the situation while refraining from passing judgment. Sinner has agreed to serve a three-month suspension, preventing him from competing in any events until May 4, 2025.
Currently in the Middle East for the Qatar Open 2025, Tsitsipas is preparing for his Round of 32 match. Seeded sixth in the tournament, the Greek star aims to bounce back from earlier disappointments at the Australian Open and the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam.
Speaking to BBTennis, the 26-year-old was cautious in his response when asked about Sinner’s ban.
“I can’t judge him or say anything because I really don’t know what happened. These are very tricky things. I see people pointing fingers and making claims, but I won’t comment without fully understanding the situation,” Tsitsipas stated.
The Greek also reflected on the possibility of finding himself in a similar situation.
“It’s a tricky situation. I’ve tried to imagine myself in that position—if something happened that wasn’t entirely my fault. I really can’t say much. These are the kinds of things I prefer not to comment on because I don’t know all the details,” he added.
Sinner’s Three-Month Ban Linked to Entourage Negligence
Jannik Sinner tested positive for clostebol, a banned substance, on two occasions in March 2024. After months of negotiations with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Italian reached a case resolution settlement, accepting a three-month suspension.
While Sinner was not found guilty of intentional doping, both WADA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) deemed him responsible for his entourage’s negligence. WADA clarified the specifics of his ban in an official statement released on February 15, 2025.
Despite the suspension, Sinner will not miss any major tournaments and is expected to return in time for Roland Garros 2025.
