“Not good image for tennis,” Novak Djokovic declares Jannik Sinner is innocent but slams ITIA for keeping players ‘in the dark’
Novak Djokovic doesn't think Jannik Sinner intentionally consumed performance-enhancing drugs but he has called for clear protocols.
Follow Us
Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner (Image via X)
Jannik Sinner has found a supporter in Novak Djokovic, but the latter called for a clear protocol in doping cases. He questioned the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) why it took five months to announce that Sinner failed a drug test.
Sinner tested positive for anabolic steroid clostebol twice in March this year. The ITIA, however, made the doping report public in August. The tennis community was outraged by the verdicts given in his case because as punishment for failing a drug test, Sinner dealt with just two short provisional suspensions, and the prize money he won at the Indian Wells, was taken away.
Djokovic, ahead of the Brisbane International, agreed with doubles partner Nick Kyrgios‘ views about the handling of Sinner’s case. Kyrgios has accused Sinner of intentional doping but Djokovic doesn’t think the World No.1 would be using performance-enhancing drugs to play better.
I don’t question whether the prohibited substance was taken intentionally or not. I believe in clean sport, I believe that the player will do everything possible to play fair. I’ve known Jannik since he was very young, so he doesn’t seem like the type of person who would do something like that, but I felt really frustrated, like most other players, to see that we were kept in the dark for five months after he received that news. It’s not a good image for our sport.
Novak Djokovic told reporters
Novak Djokovic has called for more transparency in tennis doping cases 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/xBr1E4VJWs
— Eurosport (@eurosport) December 29, 2024
Nick Kyrgios looks forward to playing doubles with Novak Djokovic
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic had criticized each other in the past but they buried their hatchet when the Aussie supported the Serb during the vaccination saga during the 2022 Australian Open.
The friendship has now developed into them joining hands for doubles at the Brisbane International. Ahead of the tournament, the 29-year-old revealed how the plans of playing doubles materialized.
He kept messaging me over and over again. I was just like, I’ll give him a little handout and give him the pleasure of playing doubles with me. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Look, kid from Canberra gets to play with the greatest of all time in his hometown in front of the fans is pretty special.
Nick Kyrgios said at the press conference
In singles, Djokovic and Kyrgios are set to lock horns with Rinky Hijikata and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, respectively, in Brisbane. Their first doubles match is against Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies.
Stay Updated!
Gouri Das
(4620 Articles Published)