"Few journalists should be suspended" - Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci makes his feelings known about questions on Jannik Sinner's doping row
Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci has stood by Jannik Sinner amid the Italian's doping controversy. The iconic coach revealed that he had been asked if the World No. 1 should be serving a suspension after twice testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year. According to Macci, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion should not be suspended, but journalists asking such questions should be.
Days ahead of the 2024 US Open, it came to light that Sinner had twice tested positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing drug, earlier this year. However, an International Tennis Integrity Agency investigation ruled that it was an accidental contamination, and the Italian was allowed to keep playing.
The revelation stirred controversy and polarized the tennis world. On one hand, some supported the ITIA's judgment in favor of Jannik Sinner. On the other, critics such as Nick Kyrgios urged the World No. 1 to serve a lengthy suspension. The case has since been appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, possibly next year.
Recently, Rick Macci, who coached Venus and Serena Williams, as kids, took to X and backed Sinner. Macci wrote:
"Was asked again by another journalist if Sinner should be suspended for two years because of the DOPING allegations. I said of course not but a few journalists should be suspended for two weeks for being a DOPE. @Janniksin"
Macci had earlier joked about the amount of the banned substance Clostebol that was found in Sinner's body when he was tested.
"The leader in that clubhouse for me is the numbers" - Rick Macci on Jannik Sinner's Clostebol contamination
Not long after the ITIA and Sinner jointly announced the Clostebol contamination in the buildup to the 2024 US Open, Rick Macci joked about the Italian's exposure to the banned substance. The veteran coach used humor to express his take on the World No. 1's doping row, writing on X:
"Asked about Jannik Sinner and the failed drug test. I understand the double standard but ITIA RULED NOT INTENTIONAL. The leader in that clubhouse for me is the numbers. 0.000000001. That is more Zeros and Donuts than the ITALIAN FLAME THROWER HAS GIVEN ON THE COURT! @janniksin"
Meanwhile, Sinner has not let the off-court controversies surrounding him affect his on-court performances. He recently won the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters and the Six Kings Slam exhibition event. The World No. 1 will soon start his 2024 Rolex Paris Masters campaign, being a favorite to win the ATP Masters 1000 event.