Juan Martin del Potro says Jannik Sinner’s settlement suspension and doping case is “very doubtful”
Jannik Sinner's three-month suspension began on February 9 and will end on May 4, which will see him compete at the Italian Open.
Follow Us
Jannik Sinner and Juan Martin Del Potro (via X)
Jannik Sinner’s doping case has continued to raise questions among current and former players in tennis. Argentine legend Juan Martin del Potro became the latest ex-player to question how the Italian star case was handled, including the settlement suspension with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Sinner, the World No.1 in the men’s circuit, tested positive for clostebol in March last year. However, the 23-year-old was exonerated from all doping offenses after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted his defense that the banned substance inadvertently entered his system while his ex-physio massaged him.
Nonetheless, WADA didn’t agree with the ITIA conclusion and decided to file an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) claiming that the Sinner was responsible for what entered his system. After challenging for one or two years of suspension, the anti-doping body did a u-turn last week and surprisingly agreed on a three-month suspension settlement with the Italian star.
This has since created a division within the sport. During del Potro’s press conference at the Rio Open, he revealed that the case has been going strange right from the time it was announced in August.
I don’t know much in detail but what I can tell you is that I find the situation strange. He tested positive in Indian Wells; it was made public before the US Open but without any sanction. It is very doubtful.
Juan Martin del Potro said
Juan Martin Del Potro habló sobre el doping de Jannik Sinner:
— Tiempo De Tenis (@Tiempodetenis1) February 21, 2025
🗣 "No conozco tan en detalle. Lo que te puedo decir es que veo rara la situación. Él da positivo en Indian Wells, se da a conocer públicamente antes del Us Open pero sin ninguna sanción. Es muy dudoso" pic.twitter.com/ETBnBMQszZ
WADA recently defended its settlement with Sinner. The agency’s Vice President Yang Yang argued that the case was reviewed the second time, which led to agreement with Sinner’s defense that clostebol inadvertently entered his system.
Juan Martin del Potro believes Joao Fonseca has a lot of potential but will need emotional support from his country
Joao Fonseca first announced himself to the tennis world at the Australian Open in January, where he stunned Andrey Rublev with a straight set win against the Russian. The 18-year-old star has since become famous and recently clinched the Argentina Open title after beating Francisco Cerundolo.
During the aforementioned press conference, Juan Martin del Potro was asked about his opinion on the rise of Fonseca. The tennis legend praised the teenager saying he had a lot of potential but will need emotional support from his country.
It’s spectacular. He has a very powerful game, with a lot of potential. The speed, his evolution, the way he is improving… he needs emotional support. In Brazil, as in Argentina, people are quick to rate you as the best, but equally quick to say you are the worst. It’s very tough. It is important to live with this, be patient and let him enjoy himself.
Juan Martin del Potro said
Fonseca was recently awarded a wildcard for the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open. The Brazilian star will play at both events for the first time in his career. Also, currently ranked World No.68, he’s expected to climb to the Top 50 of the ATP rankings before June.
Stay Updated!
Victor Okechukwu
(744 Articles Published)