Jannik Sinner doping controversy: Former doubles World No. 1 reveals how players feel about it in the locker room
Jannik Sinner's controversial doping row was recently discussed by Sara Errani, a former women's doubles World No. 1 and an Olympic gold medalist for Italy. Errani said that Sinner's doping saga has been a subject of conversation in the locker room.
Errani earlier this week featured as a guest on the "Supernova" podcast. The 37-year-old spoke about the locker room discussions surrounding Sinner's doping controversy. According to Errani, most players acknowledge that the reigning ATP singles World No. 1's case cannot be compared to others. She said (via welovetennis),
"The Jannik Sinner doping case? We talk about it among ourselves in the locker room. And we came to the conclusion that it is not easy, that each case has its nuances and it is not possible to generalize" [translated from French].
However, the former doubles No. 1 went on to say that there was an inconsistency in how different players' cases were handled, and this needed "improvement." She said,
"We need to know how everything happened, it is difficult. We need to improve the timing because there are athletes who have waited months and months, while others have solved the problem in two or three days."
Jannik Sinner and the International Tennis Integrity Agency jointly announced in the buildup to the 2024 US Open that the Italian had twice tested positive for the prohibited substance Clostebol earlier in the year. While Sinner received a provisional suspension, it was quickly overturned after the Italian successfully proved that his Clostebol exposure was not deliberate, but the result of accidental contamination.
An ITIA-appointed independent tribunal also investigated the matter and ruled in the World No. 1's favor, which allowed Sinner to keep playing. Things may yet change for the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion, as a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing is pending. The hearing will focus on the World Anti-Doping Agency's appeal against the independent tribunal's decision to let the Italian off the hook.
Jannik Sinner voiced his confidence about coming through CAS hearing unscathed
While there is a chance of the CAS agreeing with WADA's pursuit of a lengthy ban for Jannik Sinner, the Italian himself is positive about the potential outcome. Ahead of the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters, the reigning World No. 1 said at a pre-tournament press conference:
"I'm very confident that it comes out very positively, or I would be very, very surprised if it would be the opposite side.You know, it's not a situation where I feel comfortable in, that's for sure, because I thought it was over, and now once again, so it's not easy."
Sinner finished the 2024 season with eight titles, including two Grand Slams and three Masters 1000s, and a remarkable 73-6 win-loss record. The Italian was also instrumental in Italy successfully defending the Davis Cup title.