"Seriously not a good look" - Fans call out ATP Tour for seemingly 'protecting' Jannik Sinner from criticism during China Open 2024

Tennis fans recently called out ATP Tour for 'protecting' Jannik Sinner from criticism during the 2024 China Open by disabling comments on a post featuring him. The decision was seemingly a response to the backlash the Italian faced after failing two drug tests.

Following his victory at the Cincinnati Open, it was revealed that Sinner had tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol twice during the Indian Wells Masters in March. After a thorough investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), an independent tribunal concluded that the Italian was not at fault for the Anti-Doping Rule Violations.

Despite this ruling, tennis fans expressed dissatisfaction, calling for stricter consequences. The criticism then heightened when Brazilian tennis player Nicolas Zanellato received a suspension for testing positive for a prohibited substance, like Sinner, during an ATP Challenger event in Colombia. Fans were displeased with alleged double standards within the Tour.

Recently, the official social media pages of the ATP Tour shared a video featuring Jannik Sinner, Zheng Qinwen, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Zhang Zhizhen at the opening ceremony of the 2024 China Open.

The tennis fans noticed that comments on the post were disabled, seemingly to shield Sinner from further criticism. However, fans continued to voice their disapproval of the ATP Tour's actions, accusing the organization of protecting the World No.1. They took to social media to criticise the decision to restrict comments.

One fan said that there needs to be a fair outcome in Sinner's doping case, and they also criticized the ATP Tour for sending the wrong message by turning off comments.

"This doping saga needs a fair outcome. It has now caused an ATP Post for the first time ever to block comments. This is seriously NOT a good look for the ATP tour," the fan wrote.

Another fan stated that disabling comments was an attempt to shield Jannik Sinner, whom they labeled a "doper."

"Protecting the doper 🌞 ," a fan posted.

Some fans questioned why the ATP Tour disabled the comments under the post if Jannik Sinner was innocent in the doping case.

"The ATP now does not allow commenting on his tweets about Jannik Pennywise. This is because Pennywise is so immensely humble that he doesn't want to read the messages of love and admiration that people dedicate to him every day," a fan posted.

"Why did you turn off comments @atptour?? Are you concerned that a lot of tennis fans are speaking against your blatant double standards with your golden boy @janniksin. You guys having to work extra hard to protect his image. Wish you were that diligent in investigating positive doping tests," a fan wrote.

Some have speculated that since the current chairman of the ATP, Andrea Gaudenzi is Italian, he might be protecting Sinner.

"Turning off the comments? Italian defence league in full effect 🤌 🇮🇹 #gaudenzi #doublestandards," a fan posted.

"Sugar daddy Guadenzi turned off the replies to protect the doper 😹 😹 ," a fan wrote.

One fan questioned why the ATP Tour did not disable comments under a post about Novak Djokovic, who is often criticized online.

"Has the [ATP] EVER turned off comments on a Djokovic related post? Most notably at any point after the deportation saga & b4 the truth about Covid vaccine’s efficacy was brought to light? He’s received more abuse on social media than anyone, so why hasn’t he been protected?" a fan posted.

Jannik Sinner wins his first match at China Open 2024

Jannik Sinner at the 2024 China Open [Source: Getty]

Jannik Sinner entered the 2024 China Open after winning the US Open, his second Grand Slam title of the season and his career. He is the defending champion at the ATP 500 hard court tournament in Beijing and also the top seed.

Sinner kicked off his campaign in China with a victory over Nicolas Jarry, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the first round. In the second round, he will face either lucky loser Roman Safiullin or wildcard Stan Wawrinka.

Last year, Sinner defeated the likes of Dan Evans, Yoshihito Nishioka, Grigor Dimitrov, and Carlos Alcaraz and ultimately triumphed over Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash to win the title.

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