Top journalist calls for Jannik Sinner to be stripped of “tainted” Australian Open title following doping suspension

Jannik Sinner agreed a three-month suspension settlement with WADA, which begins from February 9 to May 4.

Top journalist calls for Jannik Sinner to be stripped of “tainted” Australian Open title following doping suspension

Jannik Sinner (Image via ATP/X)

Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has divided the tennis world. From current and former players down to the fans, there have been questions about whether it was right or wrong. However, amidst the criticism, there are growing calls for the Italian star to be stripped of his 2025 Australian Open.

Sinner twice tested positive for clostebol in March last year during the Indian Wells Masters. However, he was cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to continue competing as he successfully defended that the banned substance inadvertently entered his system after his former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi had massaged him.

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Nonetheless, after his exoneration, WADA was not pleased with it, so they lodged an appeal against the ruling, seeking for the world No.1 to be suspended for one or two years. But, in a surprising move, the anti-doping body announced that it has agreed on a three-month suspension settlement with Sinner.

Top Australian journalist Jamie Pandaram recently questioned why the Sinner was allowed to compete at the Australian Open in January while having a doping saga hanging around his neck. He went on to call for the stripping of the title from the Italian star.

I just don’t think that if you have any doubts about somebody and they’ve tested positive that you allow them to compete in a grand slam event because as I say, that result will be tainted. There’s an asterisk over Jannik Sinner’s win at the 2025 Australian Open and forever will be because people will believe he entered as a cheat.

Jamie Pandaram said via Yahoo Sport

Some journalists have also questioned why Sinner’s doping suspension was back-dated to February 9, despite being seen training in Doha for the ATP 500 event few days before he was suspended on February 15. There are reports that he wasn’t supposed to be training if he was already under the ban.

Jack Draper says Jannik Sinner’s suspension doesn’t make a “good image” for tennis

Jannik Sinner has received immense support from some ATP players despite huge criticism. One of them has been Jack Draper, who has been his admirer. The British star has become one of the promising players of his generation and a player to admire. Despite not having won a Grand Slam, he reached the semifinals of the US Open last September.

Jack Draper and Jannik Sinner (via X)

He revealed while in Doha that he doesn’t think it’s a good image for tennis that the World No.1 is suspended. The British star added that he was sure Sinner never intentionally took the banned substance.

I know Jannik, he’s a good friend and I know that with this whole thing, I am sure he wouldn’t have done anything intentionally. But obviously, that’s the sport and we have to be accountable for what’s going in our bodies. Yeah, he is obviously banned now for a few months. I don’t think that’s good for tennis.

Jack Draper said via Sky Sports

Draper is set to make his return to the court at the Qatar Open. The 23-year-old has not featured in any event since his fourth-round exit at the Australian Open. He will play Alexei Popyrin on Monday (February 17) in the first round of the Qatar Open.