(New York) Novak Djokovic understands why some tennis players are questioning whether there is a double standard in the sport after Jannik Sinner was not suspended despite testing positive for steroids twice, saying Saturday he agrees there is a “lack of consistency.”
Sinner tested positive twice in March for an anabolic steroid. However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined that the banned performance-enhancing agent entered his system unintentionally following a massage by his physiotherapist.
The decision was announced Tuesday, less than a week before Sinner enters the U.S. Open as the No. 1 seed. Djokovic, who won the tournament last year on his 24the Grand Slam singles title, a men’s record, is the number 2 seed.
“I understand that players are frustrated because of a lack of consistency,” Djokovic said. “As I understand it, his case was settled the moment the decision was announced.”
Some players commented on the news on social media, wondering if Sinner had been given a break due to his status as one of the best players in the sport.
We see a lack of standardized and clear protocols. I can understand the feelings of many players who wonder if they are being treated the same way.
Novak Djokovic
Djokovic said the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he co-founded, advocates on behalf of players for clear, fair protocols and standardized approaches to cases.
“Many players […] “have had similar or almost identical cases, which did not lead to the same result,” Djokovic noted.
“And now the question is whether it’s a question of funds – whether a player can afford to pay a large sum for a law firm that would represent his case more effectively.”
Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, said Sinner’s case was a delicate one.
“I think there’s something behind all this that a lot of people don’t know. I don’t even know it. Ultimately, it’s something that’s very difficult to talk about,” Alcaraz said.
“Ultimately he was declared positive, but there must be a reason that we don’t know that allowed him to continue playing. So I can’t say much about it. He was declared innocent and so we have Jannik in the tournament. So there’s not much to say and I’m not in a position to add anything.”