“Under Attack by the Players” – Jannik Sinner’s Lawyer Firmly Defends the Italian With a Sly Dig at Tennis Pros
Jannik Sinner’s Doping Ban Sparks Controversy as ATP Pros Question Fairness
Jannik Sinner’s three-month doping ban has left many ATP players perplexed, with some questioning the fairness of the ruling. Last week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed that it had reached a case resolution agreement with the three-time Grand Slam champion, eliminating the need for a hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
However, the 90-day suspension has triggered strong reactions within the tennis community. Among the most vocal critics was Nick Kyrgios, who took to X to express his frustration, writing:
“Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist.”
Novak Djokovic also raised concerns about the handling of Sinner’s case, telling Sky Sports on February 18:
“Many players are not satisfied with how the whole process has gone, and they don’t think it’s fair. Many of them believe there was favoritism.”
Former ATP star Tim Henman echoed similar sentiments, calling the timing of the ban “a little too convenient” and admitting that the verdict left a sour taste for the sport, as reported by Sky Sports on February 15.
Sinner’s Lawyer Defends Him Against Criticism
Amid the backlash, Sinner’s lawyer, Jamie Singer, has hit back at critics, arguing that many players making accusations don’t have all the details.
“He was under attack by the players, but they were not aware of all the details,” Singer told Sportklub on February 20.
Targeting those questioning Sinner’s case, he added:
“They were simply expressing their opinion. Tennis players always watch when someone is involved in this kind of situation, but on the other hand, they try to hide it if it happens to them. That’s not fair. There were certain circumstances with Jannik that were very unusual.”
WADA’s General Counsel, Ross Wenzel, also weighed in, telling BBC on February 18 that:
“This was a case that was a million miles away from doping. The scientific feedback we received indicated that this could not be a case of intentional doping, including micro-dosing.”
Why Sinner Won’t Miss Much of the 2025 Season
Despite the suspension, Sinner’s season remains largely unaffected.
After testing positive twice last year for the banned substance Clostebol, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) launched an independent investigation. In August, the panel ruled that Sinner did not intentionally take the substance, citing “no fault or negligence.”
However, WADA rejected this verdict and escalated the matter to CAS, demanding a formal hearing. Although CAS initially scheduled a trial for April, WADA ultimately offered a settlement on February 15, which Sinner accepted, agreeing to serve a three-month suspension from February 9 to May 4.
For Sinner, accepting the penalty was about moving on. In a statement via his lawyers, he admitted:
“This case had been hanging over me for nearly a year, and the process still had a long time to run, with a decision maybe only at the end of the year.”
He further acknowledged WADA’s regulations:
“I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realize WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis, I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction.”
While the ban sidelines him until May 4, Sinner can resume official training from April 13. Crucially, this allows him to return just in time for the Italian Open, which begins on May 7, followed by Roland Garros later that month.
After his Australian Open triumph, Sinner remains on track to pursue another Grand Slam title in 2025.
