“It’s very strange how the case was handled,” Tallon Griekspoor admits Jannik Sinner doping saga was treated differently than usual

ATP ace Tallon Griekspoor has opined that Jannik Sinner's doping case was not handled properly by the ITIA.

“It’s very strange how the case was handled,” Tallon Griekspoor admits Jannik Sinner doping saga was treated differently than usual

Tallon Griekspoor and Jannik Sinner (via Imago)

Despite the US Open having already begun, the tennis world is mainly concerned with Jannik Sinner’s doping saga. ATP ace Tallon Griekspoor admits that the Italian’s doping case was strangely handled by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

Sinner tested positive twice for clostebol in March during and after the Indian Wells Masters. The substance is listed among the banned substances of the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA). However, the Italian defended himself by stating that it entered his system as a result of contamination from his physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who used an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol on him.

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An independent tribunal convened by the ITIA ruled that the World No. 1 had “no fault or negligence” in the case. He was only stripped of his Indian Wells Masters ranking points and prize money. Nevertheless, the ruling has stirred up different views among tennis legends and players about how the case was dealt with.

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World No. 40 Griekspoor opined that the case was strangely handled by the tennis body and stressed that where there’s smoke, there is fire.

I could be completely wrong, but I don't think so. It's just very strange how his case was handled. Where there's smoke, there's fire. Sinner obviously brings in a lot of money and the two biggest players at the ATP are also Italian. That there are players, like Halep, who have to wait two or three years and that Sinner was allowed to continue playing under the radar and is now just free. That simply cannot be the case. Whether you are number 1 in the world or number 500, everyone should be treated equally.
Tallon Griekspoor said (via nos.nl)

Jannik Sinner will be under the spotlight at the US Open following the doping sage. He will begin his campaign against American MacKenzie McDonald on Tuesday (August 27) and will be hoping to put everything aside and win his second Grand Slam of the year, after the Australian Open.

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Tallon Griekspoor beats Summit Nagal to earn a place in the second round of the US Open

Tallon Griekspoor ended his two-match losing streak by beating Indian Summit Nagal in the first round of the US Open. The Dutch produced a spirited performance to beat the World No. 73 at the National Tennis Center on Monday.

Tallon Griekspoor (via Imago)

The last time Griekspoor won a singles match was at the Paris Olympics, where he stunned Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. The 28-year-old then failed to go past the first round at the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open.

Against Nagal in New York, he took an early lead without much challenge from the Indian star. He continued with the same intensity of brilliant serves and groundstrokes to double his lead. However, Nagal produced a spirited display in the third set forcing the third set to a tiebreak. But Griekspoor came out on top to win 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(6). He will face Argentina’s Sebastien Baez in the second round.

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