Argentina Davis Cup captain calls out Jannik Sinner’s preferential treatment in doping case, recalls his own suspension despite no fault
Argentina Davis Cup team captain Guillermo Coria has called out the preferential treatment Jannik Sinner received in his doping case.
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Guillermo Coria, Jannik Sinner (Images via Clarin.com, Imago)
The Jannik Sinner doping case caused a massive uproar in the tennis fraternity. Most of the criticism was about the Italian avoiding a ban despite two failed drug tests. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) was accused of giving Sinner preferential treatment.
Argentina Davis Cup team captain Guillermo Coria has echoed the sentiment while remembering his own suspension. He said that he would have liked the same treatment as Sinner. The Argentine was banned for testing positive for nandrolone.
However, it was found that the drug entered Coria’s system through a contaminated vitamin supplement. He sued Universal Nutrition for ten million dollars but eventually settled out of court. But the 42-year-old could not avoid a suspension and suffered huge damage to his reputation. Now, 23 years later, Coria wished for all players to be given the same treatment by the authorities.
I feel I didn’t get the same treatment as him. The positive doping killed me, I was in my prime, then I came back with hatred. It was a difficult period for me and I gave it closure, because I didn’t have a good time. The only thing I ask is that the treatment be equal for everyone.
Guillermo Coria said to CLAY.
Coria, who was ranked as high as World No. 3, tested positive for nandrolone in April 2001. Although he did not intentionally consume the banned substance, he was suspended for two years. The ATP later reduced the ban to seven months, though it did not take away the damage it did to him.
Guillermo Coria recalls what not getting treatment like Jannik Sinner did to him
Guillermo Coria remembered how badly he was affected by the suspension that was forced upon him. He revealed that he had to hire a psychologist to treat him and had to burn his savings to get his mental health right.
I spent my savings to bring a team of psychologists from Spain to treat me and show my personality, I also hired a lie detector in the United States, I had a genetic study that showed through my hair what you consumed, I showed how the drug entered my body, through a vitamin complex, which was not to take advantage, but when I arrived at the trial in Miami, my mind was already made up.
Guillermo Coria said
Despite all the challenges, Coria staged a terrific comeback. After dropping to the 198th position in the ATP rankings, he would come close to the Roland Garros title in 2004 He also played a remarkable final at the Italian Open against Rafael Nadal in 2005.
Speaking of Sinner, the Italian is not out of trouble completely. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed against the ITIA’s decision to clear Sinner in the doping scandal. The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) will hear the case in the coming weeks.
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)