John McEnroe calls out “shocking” treatment of Jannik Sinner’s doping violations

American tennis icon John McEnroe is unhappy with the way the ITIA had handled Jannik Sinner's doping violations.

John McEnroe calls out “shocking” treatment of Jannik Sinner’s doping violations

Jannik Sinner (L) and John McEnroe (Images via Imago)

American tennis icon John McEnroe is not happy with the way Jannik Sinner‘s doping violation case was handled by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). McEnroe said it was surprising that the news of the Italian’s failed doping tests was kept hidden for months.

The former World No. 1 called out the ITIA for the preferential treatment since Sinner was allowed to compete on the tour despite failing two doping tests.

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I understand tennis is tested virtually more than any other sport. This news just came out. It is certainly surprising and shocking at this moment. Especially that it happened in March and six months have gone by and this is the first anyone has heard about it.
John McEnroe said (H/T: Tennis365)

He cited Simona Halep‘s case and questioned how the ITIA did not suspend one player for claiming they were unaware of how a banned substance entered their body while another was banned for stating the same thing.

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I don’t know how they differentiate between one person saying he was unaware of it and someone else who says the same thing gets suspended. I think Halep said that and she was suspended for 18 months and Sinner said he unknowingly had this and then he’s not suspended.
John McEnroe added

The former tennis ace felt that the way Jannik Sinner’s case was handled was unfair from the other players’ point of view.

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John McEnroe demands uniformity in treatment for doping violations

John McEnroe also feels that there should be no difference in how players are treated for doping violations. The American tennis legend called for uniformity in the process.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X) 
So clearly from the players’ standpoint, you want it to be sort of uniform. This is a guy at the moment ranked No 1 in the world. This is surprising news for all of us.
John McEnroe opined

The biggest criticism of Jannik Sinner‘s doping case has been the way ITIA handled it. From former players to current ones as well as fans, everyone questioned the tennis governing body for preferential treatment to Sinner.

Canadian ATP star Denis Shapovalov was one of the most vocal players who called out the ITIA. After putting out a post on social media in the immediate aftermath of the incident, he also gave a detailed version of his opinion, stating that while he has nothing against Sinner, the ITIA must be questioned for its contrasting actions in different cases.

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