Novak Djokovic calls out ‘favouritism’ towards Jannik Sinner over doping ban

Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic has called out favouritism towards Jannik Sinner over the doping ban. On Saturday, Sinner accepted a three-month ban with WADA after saying that the case was hanging over his head for almost a year.

Djokovic feels the current system of ITIA and WADA has been inconsistent in dealing with doping cases as the top-ranked players are treated differently from other players. 

Trace amounts of Clostebol were found in Sinner’s doping sample. However, Sinner explained that it was due to a massage from a trainer who used the substance after cutting his own finger.

International Tennis Integrity Agency had accepted Sinner’s explanation but WADA challenged the decision and was seeking to ban the Italian for at least a year.

Sinner’s ban will end on May 4 and he will be eligible to play at the Roland Garros, which begins on May 25.

“Sinner and Swiatek are innocent, it has been proven. Sinner will have a three-month suspension due to some mistakes and negligence of some members of his team, who are working on the tour. This is also something that I personally and many other players find strange,” Djokovic told reporters in Doha.

“I spoke with several players in the locker room, not only in the last few days but also in the previous months. Most of them are not satisfied with how the whole process has gone, and they don’t think it’s fair. Many of them believe there was favoritism.”

“We will see what happens in the near future, if the whole case will attract more attention and can shed light on other cases of lower-level players. And we have to keep in mind that Sinner and Swiatek, at the time, were No. 1 in the world.”

Meanwhile, Djokovic will look to win his 100th title on the tour as he will begin his Qatar Open campaign against Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday.