Novak Djokovic hopes the Jannik Sinner steroid scandal will spark a change in the way tennis approaches the fight against doping.
Sinner has denied allegations he received special treatment – and insisted his conscience is clear – after avoiding a ban, despite having twice tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol earlier this year.
“There are a lot of problems in the system,” Djokovic said. “I can understand the feelings of many players who wonder if they are treated equally.”
“I hope that the governing bodies of our sport can learn from this case and take a better approach for the future. I think collectively there has to be a change, I think it’s obvious… so that all players, regardless of their ranking, status or profile, can receive the same kind of treatment.”
Novak Djokovic hopes Jannik Sinner steroid scandal will spark change in tennis
Sinner, the current world number one, finds himself at the centre of a doping storm ahead of this year’s US Open after it emerged he tested positive twice for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol in March.
The news has sparked outrage in the tennis world, with several of his peers reacting angrily and suggesting that the best are receiving special treatment.
On Friday, Sinner told reporters in New York: “I think I’m a fair player on and off the court… in my mind I know I haven’t done anything wrong.”
The Italian insisted that “I will always respect these anti-doping rules” and denied that he had enjoyed special treatment. “Every player who tests positive has to go through the same process. There are no shortcuts, there is no different treatment,” he added.
Sinner, the current world number one, finds himself at the centre of a doping storm after it emerged he had twice tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol in March.
“I know other players sometimes get frustrated, but maybe because they were suspended they didn’t know exactly where the sanction came from or what substance, but the main reason is where it came from and how it got into their own system.”
Following the scandal, Sinner parted ways with the physical trainer and physiotherapist at the centre of the affair, just days before the US Open.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz insisted he will be 100 per cent fit for his first-round match, despite twisting his ankle during training on Saturday.