"Jannik Sinner didn't do anything wrong" - No preferential treatment would have been extended to Italian in doping controversy, says former WTA player
Former WTA World No. 24 Christina McHale recently expressed her views on the Jannik Sinner doping controversy, which caused a significant stir in the tennis community ahead of the 2024 US Open. McHale acknowledged the concerns raised by players who felt that Sinner might have received special treatment in the case but maintained that Sinner was not to blame for the situation.
Sinner, along with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), announced on Tuesday, August 20, that the Italian had tested positive for clostebol, a banned substance, twice in March this year. The World No. 1 received the reports in April and was informed of a provisional suspension that he would have to serve.
The reigning Australian Open champion's legal team took rapid action, presenting evidence that Sinner had been accidentally contaminated after being massaged by his physiotherapist, who was treating a finger cut of his own with a spray containing clostebol. As a result, the provisional suspension was soon lifted, and an independent tribunal later cleared the World No. 1 to continue playing.
However, Sinner was docked the ranking points and prize money he earned at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. This was due to the fact that the initial test that later returned positive was conducted during the Italian's run to the Indian Wells semifinals.
Players such as Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov went on to fiercely criticize what they perceived as lenient punishment for the Italian, given his status as one of the most dominant forces in men's tennis today. On a recent episode of the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast, former WTA World No. 24 Christina McHale said that she understood where the criticism stemmed from.
"The whole situation is just unfortunate. It's a tough question. It is. I understand why players are bringing up that question. Like, why was it kept secret and he was allowed to keep playing?And it's just normally I feel like when the tribunal decides, like they're not supposed to know who the person is that they are. They're analyzing the situation. So I would imagine that was the case here," McHale said (20:30).
The 32-year-old said that Sinner would not have received preferential treatment, expressing her belief that the Italian was innocent.
"So there shouldn't have been any preferential treatment. But yeah, it's just such an unfortunate situation all around that this is happening. It just creates, you know.And I get it because again, I'm taking the tribunal out of their words. He didn't do anything wrong. He's fine there," McHale added.
Jannik Sinner opens up on how he would react if Nick Kyrgios interviews him at US Open 2024
Kyrgios has been one of the most vocal critics of Sinner throughout the doping controversy, repeatedly calling for a harsher punishment. The Australian is currently covering the US Open as a commentator and analyst and has conducted post-match on-court interviews on multiple occasions.
Sinner was recently asked at a press conference how he would act if Kyrgios came out to interview him. The Italian downplayed suggestions of a potential confrontation between the pair, suggesting that he "is someone who forgets things fast".
"I don’t want to respond on what he said. Everyone is free to say everything. It’s ok. If that is the case, let’s see. It’s gonna be different for sure. I don’t know what to say. Maybe I say something now and then the reaction will be something else. I’m always quite relaxed. I’m someone who forgets things quite fast. Everyone is free to say everything. It is what it is," Sinner said.
The World No. 1 has advanced to the third round of the 2024 US Open, where he will face Christopher O'Connell, a fellow countryman of Kyrgios. If Sinner reaches the fourth round, he could potentially face No. 14 seed Tommy Paul, who is scheduled to play qualifier Gabriel Diallo in the third round.