French ATP pro slams WADA as Jannik Sinner ‘still going to play Grand Slams’ after three-month suspension

Jannik Sinner is suspended from February 9 to May 4 after WADA withdrew their CAS appeal and handed the Italian a three-month ban.

French ATP pro slams WADA as Jannik Sinner ‘still going to play Grand Slams’ after three-month suspension

Jannik Sinner (Image via ATP/X)

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has reached a settlement with Jannik Sinner regarding the doping case after withdrawing their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). French tennis ace Laurent Lokoli can’t understand why WADA had even appealed before the CAS last year if all Sinner received as punishment for negligence was a three-month ban.

The WADA initially had asked for a lengthy ban of between one to two years. They have time and again stated that they don’t accuse Sinner of intentional doping but hold him responsible for negligence.

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WADA’s latest announcement led to many thinking that the anti-doping organization is corrupt and needs a major overhaul. Lokoli, who mostly plays Challenger events, said the short ban won’t even stop Sinner from playing the Grand Slam events.

In this regard, it was actually better not to suspend him; 3 months is really just to say “okay, let’s give him something,” but he’s still going to play in the Grand Slams. The rules are really as they want them to be.

Laurent Lokoli wrote on X

Check out his post here:

Sinner is expected to lose his No.1 ranking to Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev. He won’t be able to participate in the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters, and the Madrid Open.

Novak Djokovic-led PTPA slams WADA after verdict on Jannik Sinner

WADA‘s verdict on Jannik Sinner‘s case led to several notable names from the tennis community, including Daniil Medvedev, Stan Wawrinka, Nick Kyrgios, and Tim Henman censuring the anti-doping agency. Novak Djokovic is yet to make his feelings known about the situation.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via ATP/X)

But Djokovic-led Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) joined in the criticism of WADA’s judgment. PTPA stated that the WADA settling an agreement with World No.1 only shows deep disrespect for every sport and fans.

The “system” is not a system. It’s a club. Supposed case-by-case discretion is, in fact, merely cover for tailored deals, unfair treatment, and inconsistent rulings.

The PTPA stated

Sinner is a victim of unintentional doping as the banned anabolic steroid clostebol entered his body during a physiotherapy session. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) didn’t impose a ban on him, as he was only provisionally suspended during the investigation.

Sinner will serve a suspension from February 9 to May 4. The Italian Open will kick start on May 7 and he is expected to feature in the home tournament, and will not be forced to miss the French Open and the rest of the Grand Slam events. He won just the Australian Open so far this year and skipped the Rotterdam Open.