How Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz & Co. reacted to Jannik Sinner's doping controversy after being questioned at US Open 2024
Olympic finalists Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are among the biggest tennis names who have spoken out about rival Jannik Sinner after a doping scandal marred his year.
The Italian failed multiple drug tests in 2024, testing positive for Clostebol, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) twice. However, ahead of the upcoming 2024 US Open, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared the 23-year-old to play, citing accidental exposure.
Sinner was exposed to the substance while his physiotherapist was treating an injury on his own finger with a spray containing Clostebol, available over-the-top in Italy. The World No.1 served a brief provisional suspension before being cleared to play following a successful appeal.
The discourse surrounding the controversy has been mixed. Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov have argued against the verdict, citing preferential treatment as a reason, comparing it to harsher punishments for lower-ranked players.
However, several of the game's biggest names have been understanding towards Sinner, emphasizing his circumstances. Here are five players who have tried to understand both sides of the situation.
#1 Novak Djokovic
At a press conference before the 2024 US Open, 24-time Major winner Novak Djokovic was asked about his thoughts on the situation, as well as potential future involvement of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), an organization co-founded by the Serb.
He noted that the PTPA was founded to ensure "standardized approaches" for player treatment. He said he sees where the outrage against a favorable decision towards Sinner stemmed from.
"As far as Jannik's case, you know, as I said, these kind of instances are the very reason that why we founded PTPA that is always advocating for fair protocols, clear protocols for standardized approaches to these kind of cases. I understand the frustration of the players is there because of lack of consistency. As I understood, his case was cleared the moment basically it was announced. But, you know, I think five or six months passed since the news was brought to him and his team," Djokovic said.
He also highlighted that the system has loopholes that allow incidents like this; unless these fallacies are fixed, they will continue to occur.
"So, yeah, there is a lot of issues in the system. We see 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 defending US Open champion said.
#2 Carlos Alcaraz
Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz also empathized with Sinner, saying it was a "difficult" situation for the Italian.
"Well, it's a really difficult moment for him, that's for sure. It is complicated. I mean, I'm not gonna lie, it is complicated. But obviously what I can say?" the Spaniard said.
While he did recognize the need for a "clean" sport, Alcaraz backed the ITIA ruling and rallied behind the World No.1.
"Well, I believe in a clean sport. You know, I am pretty sure that there are a lot of things that we don't know, you know, inside the team or inside, you know, everything. But if they let Jannik to keep playing, is for something, they said he's innocent. So that's all I know and that's all I can talk about," he added.
#3 Francis Tiafoe
Americans Francis Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz also echoed their support for Sinner while stressing the need for uniformity in rulings across tennis ranks. Cincinnati Open runner-up Tiafoe was quick to shrug off any involvement in the debate, saying that he would take the ITIA's verdict on the chin.
"Obviously he's an incredible player, and, you know, government bodies made a decision, they went and did that. He's cleared to play. You know, that's pretty much what I have to say about it," Tiafoe said.
#4 Taylor Fritz
A bronze medalist in Paris, Fritz remarked that all external opinions on the situation were "irrelevant" and only Sinner and his team knew the full story. He further affirmed his confidence in the report's integrity and investigation.
"I mean, it's tough to say. You know, everyone is going to have, I guess, their own opinion. But it's pretty irrelevant at the end of the day, because the truth of the matter is always going to be between him and his team. You know, I trust that whoever, like, the whole investigative process was done properly," Fritz said.
#5 Andy Roddick
Former US Open champion Andy Roddick stood by Sinner, stating that context is key. He added that a complete understanding of the situation is necessary, especially in a controversy of this magnitude.
"But the context, it matters what the thing is. If it's like the number one story on earth," he added on Sinner's "no fault" verdict.
Sinner will hope to put the controversy behind him with a deep run at the US Open, having won the Cincinnati Masters.