Former Cyclist BLASTS Jannik Sinner’s settlement with WADA, calls it “scandalous” as World No.1 gets suspended for three months

World No.1 Jannik Sinner was handed a three-month suspension for doping following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Former Cyclist BLASTS Jannik Sinner’s settlement with WADA, calls it “scandalous” as World No.1 gets suspended for three months

Jannik Sinner (Image via X)

The world of tennis is currently buzzing with the news regarding Jannik Sinner‘s settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The World No.1 was tested positive for clostebol in March 2024 and was handed a three-month suspension after settling the case with WADA. A former cyclist has now blasted this and dubbed it as “scandalous“.

Sinner tested positive twice for clostebol at the Indian Wells Masters. He was given clearance by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to compete. The 23-year-old was later cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent tribunal in August that year.

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The WADA would later interfere and appeal that decision. The Italian international was initially facing a ban for up to 2 years after the WADA had appealed to the Court of Arbitration (CAS). However, on February 15, they withdrew this appeal and instead decided to settle the case with Sinner.

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The 2025 Australian Open winner will now be serving a ban from the sport for 3 months. While debate regarding this rages on, former French cyclist, Jerome Pineau blasted this.

Speaking at the Les Grandes Gueules du Sport – RMC podcast, Pineau angrily asked how can a player be allowed to negotiate a suspension. He also pointed out that even if he was the No.1 in cycling, he would still have received a hefty ban.

If he’s a cyclist, number 1 as he is, he gets two years. How can you negotiate a suspension? You’re either doping or not. Stop making fun of people. It’s scandalous.

Jerome Pineau said in French
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Andy Roddick, Jannik Sinner

Novak Djokovic drops ‘favoritism’ take on Jannik Sinner’s doping ban

As Jannik Sinner‘s doping ban continues to be in the headlines, Novak Djokovic has dropped a ‘favoritism’ take on his development. The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion also urged for the system to be changed.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner (Image via X)

The three-month ban which has begun will see Sinner back in action at the Italian Open. He will also be allowed to be participate in the Wimbledon and French Open as the ban will be over before this two tournaments start.

While speaking in the press conference at the Qatar Open, Djokovic claimed that there was some anger among the players on how the situation panned out.

There’s a majority of the players that I’ve talked to in the locker room, not just in the last few days, but also last few months, that are not happy with the way this whole process has been handle. A majority of the players don’t feel it’s fair. A majority of the players feel like there is favoritism happening. It appears that you can almost affect the outcome if you are a top player, if you have access to the top lawyers.

Novak Djokovic said in the press conference at the Qatar Open

The Serbian also brought out how Simona Halep and Tara Moore, were both handed severe penalties by the ITIA for similar offenses. Halep, the former World No.1 was handed a 4 year ban in 2022 after she tested positive for a banned substance. This sentence was later reduced to 9 months.

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Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek (via X)

Amidst this doping scandal of Sinner, there are also shouts of him being stripped of the Australian Open title. He won this title this year after beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 to successfully defend his crown in Melbourne. At the moment, it is unlikely that he would be stripped of this honor.