“I would not go on the court,” ATP legend reveals measures he will take against Jannik Sinner’s settlement deal with WADA

The ITIA and WADA have been heavily criticized for the handling of Jannik Sinner's doping case amid testing positive for clostebol.

“I would not go on the court,” ATP legend reveals measures he will take against Jannik Sinner’s settlement deal with WADA

Jannik Sinner and Yevgeny Kafelnikov (via X/Tennis.com)

A real bombshell hit the world of tennis on Saturday (February 15) when the news about Jannik Sinner and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) settling for an agreement on the Italian star’s doping case, broke. The World No.1 was handed a three-month suspension by the anti-doping body, and his case was withdrawn from the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

Sinner tested positive twice for clostebol in March at the Indian Wells Masters. But, the Italian star appealed the doping case, claiming that he did not intentionally take the banned substance and that a mistake from his former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi led to him testing positive for clostebol.

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The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted his defense and ruled that he was free to continue playing. That led WADA to lodge an appeal to CAS in September last year, saying that the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct under the applicable doping rules. The anti-doping body was seeking a one or two-year ban, with a hearing scheduled for April.

However, Sinner has now accepted a three-month ban from WADA, but the agreement has left several former and current players furious. Former World No.1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov, revealed his frustration at the anti-doping on social media, explaining that if he were still playing, he would simply boycott matches against Sinner.

After latest developments, I would do following (assuming i was still playing). Every time I draw Sinner in the tournament, I do not go on court, doesn’t matter if first round or final. But I’m afraid not one will do same.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov wrote on X

Sinner was fortunate that he wasn’t strop of any of his ranking points or tournaments money. In fact, WADA clarified that it was not seeking to disqualify the Australian Open champion results as they believe he did not intentionally take the banned substance.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov calls WADA the “dirtiest organization” following settlement with Jannik Sinner

Since Jannik Sinner‘s doping case was made public in August, several former and current players were not pleased with how it was handled. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) was heavily criticized for being impartial and allowing Sinner to go scot-free despite testing positive twice for a banned substance.

Jannik Sinner (16)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X)

Now, the criticism has shifted from the ITIA to WADA, who recently agreed a settlement with Sinner, handing him a three-month suspension that will see him return to the court before the Roland Garros. Yevgeny Kafelnikov slammed the anti-doping body as the dirtiest organization.

WADA is dirtiest organization ! You can make any deal you want with them even if guilty.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov wrote via X

Several ATP players like Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios have already revealed their dissatisfaction with the case. The settlement has also led to diverse views from fans, leaving the sport on the precipice.