Top journalist explains why Novak Djokovic’s stance amid Jannik Sinner’s doping row is right

Amid Jannik Sinner's doping saga, Pete Bodo agreed with Novak Djokovic that players deal with suspensions as they cannot pay the law firm.

Top journalist explains why Novak Djokovic’s stance amid Jannik Sinner’s doping row is right

Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner (Images via X)

Novak Djokovic questioned the efficiency of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after it cleared Jannik Sinner of all doping charges. Top journalist Pete Bodo agreed with Djokovic, stating how some players, due to not being able to pay enough money to the law firm, end up spending years on the sidelines due to suspension despite unintentionally contaminating themselves. 

As the tennis community is divided over the doping controversy, Djokovic was asked about the same at the press conference ahead of his opening match at the US Open. Djokovic thinks the system lacks standardized and clear protocols, as a consequence of which the players have to suffer. The Serb is hoping that the organization will learn something from the Sinner doping saga and come up with changes in the future. 

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The question is whether it is a case of the funds, whether a player can afford to pay a significant amount of money for a law firm that would then more efficiently represent his or her case.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference 

Journalist Bodo is of the same opinion as he feels those ‘unlucky’ suspended players, who don’t come up with a lot of money to appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), have to wait for a long period of time which affects their careers. 

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As a result, we’re left with the feeling that some players are like the entitled kids who can talk (buy) their way out of trouble for breaking school rules while their less fortunate classmates get detention.
Peter Bodo wrote in his column for Tennis Channel
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Jannik Sinner is playing at the US Open despite two failed drug tests

Jannik Sinner has been allowed to play in the US Open as the ITIA cleared him of all charges a few days before the start of the event at Flushing Meadows. Sinner failed two drug tests in March this year as clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, was found in his samples. 

Jannik Sinner (2)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X)

The Italian was provisionally suspended but an appeal before an independent tribunal and its investigation led to the acquittal of the Italian. The tennis fraternity did not take this lightly, as they recalled a few cases where suspensions marred players’ careers. Simona Halep‘s case is the most recent one as the ITIA initially banned her for four years, but CAS later reduced it to nine months. 

Halep is not playing at the US Open due to a knee injury. Sinner, on the other hand, has reached the second round after a four-set victory over Mackenzie McDonald. The 23-year-old will play Alex Michelsen on August 29. 

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