Novak Djokovic has voiced concerns about inconsistent enforcement of tennis regulations after Jannik Sinner, who tested positive twice for anabolic steroids, was allowed to compete in the upcoming US Open.
In a recent controversy, Novak Djokovic addressed the concerns of inconsistency in tennis regulations after Jannik Sinner was not suspended despite testing positive twice for anabolic steroids.
The issue arose after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined that the banned substance entered Sinner’s system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist.
This ruling, announced just days before the start of the US Open, has sparked debate among players, with some questioning whether Sinner received preferential treatment due to his status as one of the sport’s top players.
Djokovic, who enters the US Open as the No. 2 seed and is aiming to defend his title after claiming his men’s-record 24th Grand Slam singles title last year, acknowledged the frustration felt by many within the tennis community.
He highlighted the lack of consistency in how such cases are handled, pointing out that similar cases involving other players have not resulted in the same outcome.
This controversy underscores the ongoing debate about fairness and transparency in tennis. Djokovic, a co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), emphasized the need for clear and standardized protocols to ensure all players are treated equally, regardless of their ranking or financial resources.
He noted that the ability to afford top legal representation could influence the outcome of such cases, raising concerns about equity in the sport.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 US Open champion and current No. 1 seed, acknowledged the complexity of Sinner’s case but refrained from speculating further.
With Sinner cleared to compete, the focus now shifts back to the competition, though the questions surrounding fairness and integrity in tennis remain a prominent topic of discussion.
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