Stan Wawrinka blasts anti-doping systems for ‘harming tennis’ amid Jannik Sinner’s doping controversy
Stan Wawrinka was among the first players to Slam the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for its agreement with Jannik Sinner.
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Jannik Sinner, Stan Wawrinka (Images via ATP/X)
Stan Wawrinka believes that the way Jannik Sinner’s doping case was handled has harmed the sport. The 40-year-old Swiss legend has been a vocal critic of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decision to agree a three-month suspension for the 23-year-old Italian in February after twice testing positive for clostebol in March last year.
Sinner had evaded ban after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) declared him innocent of doping charges in August. The anti-doping body revealed that Sinner’s legal counsel defended that the banned substance inadvertently entered into Sinner’s system after a mistake by his former physio.
However, WADA was displeased with the ITIA’s decision and appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). That then later led to an agreement between WADA and Sinner’s legal representatives. The case has been highly scrutinized by current and former players, who have revealed their dissatisfaction with the way it ended.
Wawrinka, who has previously talked about the case, revealed once again in an interview that the case was not handled properly by anti-doping agencies. He added that some players have been suspended for two years for less than what Sinner committed.
We have seen it in several cases in recent years. Some have been suspended for two years because they forgot to properly report their address. It has been handled in a way that I believe harms tennis because, in the end, you wonder what battle you are trying to win. Whether you are really looking for players who test positive or if it all comes down to having a good lawyer who can get you out in the best possible way.
Stan Wawrinka said via Eurosport
Sinner’s case has raised fears among many players about the severity of doping. Aryna Sabalenka, Alexander Zverev, and Casper Ruud have all come out to reveal how they are very cautious about what enters their system as the anti-doping agency continues to seek ways to curb doping in the sport.
Meanwhile, Sinner’s suspension is set to end on May 4, which is three days before the Italian Open. The World No.1 will play in the ATP Masters tournament and then the Hamburg Open ahead of the French Open.
Stan Wawrinka says he still has passion for professional tennis despite being 40
Stan Wawrinka is 40 and yet pushing hard. The former World No.3 has had to play in the ATP Tour majorly this season despite his age as he continues to receive wildcards from tournament organizers. He’s the World No.158 in the ATP rankings but doesn’t look likely to retire soon. He revealed in the aforementioned interview that he still has the passion to continue playing.
I still have the same passion. Not the same results, but still the same passion. 40 is scary. When I started playing tennis, my dream was to become a professional player. Generally, the end of a career back then was around thirty. Today, I’m 40. I’m trying to play a little longer, I’m trying to enjoy everything tennis has given me and still gives me emotionally. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but I love what I do; I love this life as a tennis player and the emotions it gives me. I want to finish this book as best I can.
Stan Wawrinka said
The Swissman is currently at the Open Aix Provence in France for the ATP Challenger tournament. It is the second Challenger tournament he’s competing since the 175-level tournament in Napoli in March. His last ATP match was at the Barcelona Open, where he lost in straight sets to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round.
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