“An absolute shame,” John McEnroe gives his honest verdict on Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s doping scandal
John McEnroe, in an episode of the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, discussed the Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner's doping controversies.
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Jannik Sinner, John McEnroe, Iga Swiatek (Images via X)
John McEnroe backed Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek amidst the doping controversy. McEnroe believes Sinner’s story about how he got contaminated with clostebol. He was invited by Andy Roddick on his podcast and they discussed why they believe Sinner and Swiatek did not use the drugs intentionally.
Roddick called Sinner’s explanation about how he got contaminated an ‘insane story’ but he never doubted the youngster. Sinner was contaminated because his ex-physio, Giacomo Naldi, used a spray that had clostebol in it.
His ex-trainer, Umberto Ferrara, had bought the spray from Italy. While Naldi was massaging the 23-year-old, the banned drug entered his body.
As someone who loves to see sports played at a high level, it would be an absolute shame to think that either of these two players would be involved in something like that. Sometimes when you hear the stories, you’re like, ‘What? Really? The masseur had a cut and [Ferrara] gave it [the spray] and then you massage it and there somehow happened.’ But you know I’m on the side of willing to go with it.
John McEnroe said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast
When the American asked his compatriot what he meant by that, McEnroe made it clear that he didn’t doubt Sinner and wanted to believe him. Both McEnroe and Roddick agreed that one billionth of a drug can’t enhance a player’s performance.
Podcast host says Jannik Sinner is likable while Iga Swiatek is not
Podcast host Chris Hasek-Watt sparked controversy by calling Iga Swiatek the unlikeable tennis player. He thinks the reason why many are coming out to support Jannik Sinner after his doping scandal is because they like the World No.1 player. Hasek-Watt labeled the WTA World No.2 a ‘robot’ saying she doesn’t how to interact and have fun.
I’m just gonna say it, there’s nothing likable about Iga Swiatek and I think a lot of people that were protecting [Jannik] Sinner aren’t speaking out to protect Swiatek because people don’t like her. People like Sinner. He’s a good guy.
Chris Hasek-Watt said on his Love Means Nothing podcast
Is Iga Swiatek the most unlikeable #1 in WTA history? pic.twitter.com/fLPrCOtSaD
— Chris Hasek-Watt (@chrishasekwatt) December 15, 2024
Swiatek and Sinner lifted the most titles in women’s and men’s tennis respectively in 2024. The Pole won five titles (including her fifth Grand Slam trophy at the French Open). Sinner on the other hand lifted Australian Open and US Open and took home six more trophies.
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Gouri Das
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