Doping: Djokovic calls for clear protocols amid Sinner controversy

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has raised concerns about the lack of consistency in handling doping cases in tennis, citing the recent clearance of Jannik Sinner after the Italian tested positive for a banned substance.

Djokovic emphasised the need for standardized protocols and clear approaches to ensure fairness.

Sinner, who twice tested positive for clostebol in March, was cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which determined that the substance entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist. Although Sinner’s case was resolved, Djokovic acknowledged the frustration among players regarding potential inconsistencies in how doping violations are treated.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who is seeded second for the upcoming US Open, sympathized with players who feel there’s a lack of consistency in the sport. “I understand the frustration of the players because of a lack of consistency,” Djokovic said. “As I understood, his case was cleared the moment it was announced.”

Djokovic underscored the importance of transparent and uniform protocols, stating, “We see a lack of standardized and clear protocols. I can understand the sentiments of a lot of players that are questioning whether they are treated the same.”

The controversy surrounding Sinner has sparked reactions on social media, with some players questioning whether Sinner received leniency due to his status as one of the sport’s top competitors. Canadian player Denis Shapovalov was among those who raised concerns about potential double standards. Djokovic echoed the need for clear protocols to avoid questions about favouritism or unequal treatment.

Sinner, who maintained that he was treated the same as any other player, appealed the suspension based on the unintentional entry of the banned substance. Djokovic, who co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), advocated for clear and fair procedures to ensure consistent handling of doping cases. He also highlighted the potential impact of financial resources on the outcomes of such cases, noting that players may need to invest significantly in legal representation.

Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 US Open champion, acknowledged the complexity of Sinner’s case and emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying factors that led to his clearance. Alcaraz refrained from commenting further, recognizing that the details of the case were not fully public.

“I think there’s something behind this that a lot of people don’t know. I don’t even know. In the end, it’s something very difficult to talk about,” Alcaraz said.

“He tested positive, but there must be a reason that allowed him to keep playing that we don’t know. So I cannot talk a lot about it. He was declared innocent, and so we have Jannik in the tournament. And so there’s not much to talk about, and I’m in no position to add anything else.”