SINNER’S SUSPENSION CAUSES SUSPICION IN THE WORLD OF TENNIS

Written by: Nolwazi Zondi

Jannik Sinner has been banned from tennis. The world no.1 reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to be suspended for 3 months after testing positive twice for clostebol last year. Sinner will serve his time from the 9th of February to the 4th of May, returning just in time for the French Open on May 25th.

This news has caused an uproar in the Tennis world with tensions about the fairness of the sport when it comes to doping. The defending Australian Open champion was potentially facing a two year ban after WADA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, but surprisingly withdrew the appeal and came to an agreement with the 3-time Grand Slam champion for a 3 month ban – reasons being, “Sinner did not intend to cheat.”

Many players have spoken out about the handling of these high-profile cases which show bias – favouring and saving the top players whilst lower ranked players face a harsher sentence. World no.5, Jessica Pegula felt very strongly about this matter and stated, “I think my reaction is that, whether you think he did or you don’t, or whatever side you’re on, the process just seems to be completely not a process…I feel like they have so much power to ruin someone’s career as well…I don’t think any of the players trust the system at all right now. Zero. It’s just a horrible look for the sport.”

World no.1 Aryna Sabalenka shared the same sentiments of not trusting the system and being afraid of it to the point where she has to be extra careful with what she consumes and not leaving her drink unattended at a restaurant, even if she’s just going to the restroom.

2022 Wimbledon finalist, Nick Kyrgios expressed his disgust towards the handlement of both Sinner and Iga Swaitek’s cases (Swaitek who accepted a one-month ban after testing positive for doping). “Obviously Sinner’s team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a three-month-ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost…Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist,” Kyrgios stated.

Novak Djokovic says that this situation is, “Not a good image for our sport.” The 24-time Grand Slam champion expressed that there is a general consensus among tennis players that feel that there is unfairness and favouritism in the sport. That top players can affect the outcome of their cases because of the access they have to top lawyers. Djokovic believes that both Sinner and Swaitek are innocent until proven guilty, however, finds it strange that Sinner is still working with the same team that possibly caused his case. The Serbian stated,

“Inconsistency frustrates all players ,” and it is time to address the system of anti-doping in tennis.

The world no.1 and eye of this storm defended himself and commented, “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction.”