Martina Navratilova slams WADA for being a “mess” in challenging the verdict in Jannik Sinner’s doping case
After WADA decided to appeal to CAS in the Jannik Sinner doping case, Martina Navratilova expressed support for the Italian.
Martina Navratilova, Jannik Sinner (Images via Imago)
American tennis legend Martina Navratilova has come forward in Jannik Sinner‘s support after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) against the verdict in the Italian’s doping case. With Sinner being cleared to continue playing despite failing two doping tests, WADA has challenged the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s decision.
The tennis fraternity, including some former players, have come out in Sinner’s support. Martina Navratilova also joined the bandwagon as she slammed the WADA for being a mess. The former WTA ace seemed more disappointed with the system in place.
This is nuts. WADA is a mess. The Chinese swimmers walk and now this? What a bad system we have …
Martina Navratilova posted on X
Notably, in response to WADA’s appeal, Jannik Sinner has said that he was disappointed and surprised that the body decided to challenge the verdict despite being cleared of wrongdoing. At the same time, Sinner promised to cooperate fully with the process.
What is WADA challenging in Jannik Sinner’s doping case verdict?
WADA sent shockwaves in the tennis fraternity as it announced that it has lodged a complaint in the CAS against the verdict in the Jannik Sinner doping case. The anti-doping agency claimed that it found that the verdict that Sinner bore no fault or negligence in the doping case was not correct under the applicable rules.
The governing body also demanded a ban on Sinner for one to two years. WADA then declined to make any further comments on the matter.
It is WADA’s view that the finding of “no fault or negligence” was not correct under the applicable rules. WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.
WADA said in its release
While WADA claims to be unsatisfied with the verdict reached in the Sinner doping case, it has not raised any questions on the source of contamination. Neither has it mentioned the small amount of the banned substance found in Sinner’s sample.
The World No. 1 was declared innocent by an independent tribunal set up by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and was allowed to compete on the tour. Sinner’s explanation for the source of contamination was deemed fair by the ITIA and it was declared that he bore no fault or negligence.
Ritesh Pathak
(2095 Articles Published)