Tennis icon Novak Djokovic has addressed concerns raised about Jannik Sinner’s doping case and subsequent suspension earlier this year. The Italian player accepted a three-month ban following two positive drug tests in 2024.
Initially, Sinner escaped punishment as a tribunal found that the two failed tests for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, were due to contamination during a massage by his fitness coach. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) concluded that Sinner was not at fault for the positive results detected in March 2024.
Last year, the ITIA defended its handling of Sinner’s case and refuted claims of preferential treatment. In February, Sinner reached an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, which had challenged the initial decision not to suspend him.
The current world No. 2 served his suspension from February to May this year, strategically allowing him to participate in the French Open starting in late May. Djokovic, who lost to Sinner in the semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon in July, shared his thoughts on the matter during a comprehensive discussion with Piers Morgan.
Expressing his views, Djokovic mentioned his long acquaintance with Sinner since the player’s early teenage years and praised his dedication to tennis. However, Djokovic criticized the handling of Sinner’s case, pointing out issues like lack of transparency, timing of the ban coinciding with major tournaments, and allegations of preferential treatment by other players.
Djokovic, who himself faced criticism for his stance on Covid-19 vaccinations, clarified that he supported freedom of choice regarding vaccination rather than taking a pro or anti-vaccine position.
In other news, Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering savings of £192 and coverage of over 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL, and more. Sky is set to broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches in the upcoming season, an increase of up to 100 games.