Novak Djokovic criticizes ‘favoritism’ toward Jannik Sinner as he addresses the Italian’s ‘strange’ doping ban

Novak Djokovic censured the anti-doping bodies, claiming they provided different treatment to Jannik Sinner because he is a World No.1.

Novak Djokovic criticizes ‘favoritism’ toward Jannik Sinner as he addresses the Italian’s ‘strange’ doping ban

Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic (Images via ATP/X)

Did the anti-doping agencies really give preferential treatment to World No.1 Jannik Sinner? So many players, current and former, have called out both the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for not taking a strict approach when Sinner tested positive for clostebol.

Novak Djokovic too is of the same opinion. He, however, has made it clear that he doesn’t think Sinner and Iga Swiatek (who tested positive for trimetazidine in August last year) deliberately used banned drugs to enhance their performances.

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He questioned the whole process both the ITIA and WADA followed which at first led to Sinner avoiding a ban; following which WADA demanded a lengthy ban before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), before he reached a settlement with WADA and accepted a three-month suspension. Djokovic can’t fathom the reason why Sinner is facing a suspension due to the negligence of his team members.

Jannik will have a three-month suspension due to some mistakes and negligence of some members of his team, who are working on the tour. This is also something that I personally and many other players find strange.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference at the Qatar Open

Djokovic criticized the doping structure and called for changes in rules. He referenced the cases of Simona Halep and Tara Moore, whose similar doping cases took years to resolve, which affected their career as they faced long suspensions unlike Swiatek and Sinner.

I have spoken to several players in the locker room, not only in the last few days but also in the months before. Most of them are not satisfied with how the whole process has gone and do not think it was fair. Many believe that there was favoritism.

Novak Djokovic added

Novak Djokovic discusses injury status after doubles win at Qatar Open

Novak Djokovic is participating in both singles and doubles at the Qatar Open. After a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win with doubles partner Fernando Verdasco over Alexander Bublik and Karen Khachanov, Djokovic gave an update about his hamstring injury.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via Instagram)

Today’s doubles match, obviously it’s different from singles, but it’s still a match, and you do have very dynamic movements that you have to do on the court, where you kind of test your body and how it feels. It felt great, so I have no concerns.

Novak Djokovic said at the Qatar Open

Djokovic suffered from the muscle tear during the Australian Open which forced him to cancel his semifinal clash with Alexander Zverev after the first set. He and Verdasco will next be locking horns with Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara.

Djokovic is yet to start his singles run in Doha. He is scheduled to lock horns with former World No.6 Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday (February 18). If he reaches the semifinal, he could face World No.2 and first seed Carlos Alcaraz.