DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Novak Djokovic has revealed that a significant number of tennis players are losing confidence in the anti-doping authorities in the wake of Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban. There is a widespread perception among players that “favoritism” is being exhibited towards the sport’s top stars. The 24-time major champion has called for a revamp of the processes followed by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Tennis Integrity Agency in handling doping cases, stating that the current system is ineffective.
Djokovic expressed concerns about the lack of trust among male and female tennis players towards WADA and ITIA during the Qatar Open. Sinner recently agreed to a deal with WADA to serve a ban that will allow him to compete in the French Open in May without missing any Grand Slam events, following an incident of accidental contamination by a banned substance last year. This leniency in Sinner’s case, along with previous instances such as Iga Swiatek’s one-month suspension for a similar reason, has raised eyebrows within the tennis community.
The Serbian star emphasized that the handling of doping cases needs to be more consistent and fair across the board. He highlighted past examples, including Simona Halep’s initially lengthy ban and Tara Moore’s prolonged investigation, as instances that demonstrate the need for a thorough review of the current system. Djokovic expressed hope for a collaborative effort among governing bodies to address these issues promptly.
We must explore the intertwining relationship between our own actions and the tennis ecosystem, striving for more efficient ways to navigate and address these interconnected processes. For more information on tennis news, visit AP tennis at: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
