French tennis star blasts ITIA for the handling of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek doping cases
Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have been in negative spotlight in 2024 despite all their incredible achievements.
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Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek (Images via X)
Former French tennis player Julien Benneteau has commented on the issue of doping in tennis, focusing on the ongoing cases involving Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner. Both players achieved remarkable success in 2024 but have faced negative attention due to these doping allegations.
Benneteau believes the primary fault lies with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). He criticized the agency for its poor communication and lack of transparency, which has created confusion and inconsistency within the tennis community.
I don’t think tennis has a problem with doping. I think the problem is the ITIA, the communication and the difference in treatment around these cases. Does that leave room for doubt? Of course. It’s poorly managed. It raises questions. When we ask the question: does tennis have a problem with doping, we can say that some of the top hundred players in the world are doped, that the ATP and the WTA cover up all the positive players, that there is a real organized system.
Julien Benneteau said during the show “Les Grandes Gueules du Sport” on RMC
Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) and accepted a one-month suspension from tennis authorities. However, many have criticized the leniency shown to the Polish player, especially when compared to harsher penalties faced by players like Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova.
It’s impossible! We are tested all the time. A player who performs well in a tournament is tested. There are between 15 and 20 tests per year. For an individual traveling sport, that’s quite significant. There is no organized doping. But the ITIA must establish harmonization in terms of communication and sanctions. What is suspensive or not? Here, we have the impression that it depends on the player’s ranking.
Julien Benneteau added
Similarly, Sinner tested positive for clostebol twice in March, but the news only leaked in August, shortly after his Cincinnati Open victory. Despite the controversy, the Italian has been allowed to compete without restrictions, and WADA has yet to issue a final decision on his case.
Jannik Sinner under threat to miss the final three Grand Slams of 2025
Jannik Sinner might miss the French Open and Wimbledon next year, even if his suspension is shorter than the two years requested by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Sinner tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March. An independent tribunal accepted his claim that the substance came from a spray used by his physio to treat a cut.
WADA has appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). They are pushing for a two-year ban for the 23-year-old Italian. The CAS hearing is not scheduled before February 2025, which means Sinner will still be able to defend his Australian Open title in January.
However, the CAS hearing is expected before the French Open in June. This raises doubts about Sinner’s ability to compete there. If he receives a three-month ban starting mid-2025, he could miss the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, which would seriously affect his ranking.
A longer ban, such as six months or more, could rule him out of the final three Grand Slam events of 2025. This would likely end his season, but Sinner is hoping to avoid such an outcome.
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Fahad Hamid
(684 Articles Published)