"Absolute nonsense","Tennis media should not act as jury": Fans slam Andy Murray's ex-coach for 'zero scandal' claim about Jannik Sinner's doping saga

Tennis fans recently criticized Andy Murray's former coach, Mark Petchey, for asserting that there was "zero scandal" surrounding Jannik Sinner's doping controversy. The Italian had tested positive twice for the banned substance clostebol in March of this year, during the 2024 Indian Wells Masters.

Following the failed drug tests, Sinner was investigated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). An independent tribunal concluded that the World No. 1 was not at fault for the Anti-Doping Rule Violations. However, this decision was met with opposition from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which has called for a one-to-two-year ban for Sinner.

Amid these developments, Petchey tweeted:

"Just for the record there is ZERO scandal in the Sinner case. He and his lawyers worked within the framework of what the rules are in the situation he found himself and got a decision based on the evidence presented. No conspiracy, no cover up."

Mark Petchey's assertion that there was no scandal in Jannik Sinner's doping saga was met with disapproval from many tennis fans.

"Absolute nonsense and you know it," one said.

"How do you know there is ZERO scandal? Have you seen the evidence? Are you saying WADA is acting in bad faith with ZERO evidence of a scandal? Tennis media should not act as jury and judge," another wrote.

"It was extremely scandalous to cover the entire thing up for 5 plus months. Scandalous that he was not suspended when the 1st doping test came out positive, let alone the 2nd. Scandalous that there was no dedicated press conference from either Sinner, his legal team nor the ATP about the violations," a third fan said.

"It’s an absolutely massive scandal through and through. The ITIA is an utterly bogus simulated mock org designed specifically to sweep big scandals like this under the rug. Doping frauds must be punished," yet another posted.

Several mentioned that Sinner not receiving a ban despite failing two drug tests and being treated differently was the "scandal."

"If you were paid to tweet this by Jannik Sinner’s PR team, would you openly admit it," this fan wrote.

"He should have been suspended while the investigation was ongoing. He had 2 consecutive failed drug tests in March 2024, why did the tennis community have to wait 5 months to learn about it? There are pieces to this puzzle that are definitely missing, WADA needs to find them!" another posted.

"Mark he’s been treated differently that’s the argument. Why was his staff sacked after public knew and not before. Whole case is a mess," a fan said.

Jannik Sinner: "Disappointed to hear that WADA has chosen to appeal the result of my ITIA hearing"

Jannik Sinner at a press conference [Source: Getty]

After WADA filed the appeal requesting a one-to-two-year ban for Jannik Sinner, the World No. 1 said:

"I am disappointed to hear that WADA have chosen to appeal the result of my ITIA hearing after the independent judges had exonerated me and deemed me to be innocent. I have nothing to hide, and as I have done throughout the summer, I will cooperate fully with the appeal process and provide whatever may be needed to prove my innocence once again."

Currently, Sinner is defending his title at the 2024 China Open. He has won his first and second round matches and is scheduled to go up against Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 hard court tournament in Beijing.