“I hope it creates a precedent” – Medvedev on Sinner’s doping ban deal

Daniil Medvedev has said that he hopes Jannik Sinner‘s recent doping ban deal will “create a precedent”, meaning other players will be able to negotiate the timing and length of bans with the anti-doping authorities in the future.

The world No 1 was banned for three months following a settlement he made with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“I hope that the next few times, the players will be able to do that,” Medvedev said.

WADA were originally seeking a ban of 1-2 years in their appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the initial ruling that cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing or punitive measures.

However, last week it was announced that WADA and the Italian had come to an agreement involving a three-month ban in return for the settling of the case.

This caused huge controversy among fellow players and members of the tennis community, with some arguing it highlighted clear bias, while others point to Sinner’s evident innocence. The central theme to most of these discussions, however, is inconsistency.

2021 US Open champion Medvedev, on the other hand, sees a potential benefit from Sinner’s case, hoping it will lead to the ability for other players to negotiate their own bans should they test positive.

“I hope that it will create a precedent where everyone will have the opportunity to defend themselves better than before. Otherwise, if it’s not going to be possible, it’s going to be bizarre.

“I hope that everyone will have the right to represent themselves because sometimes players don’t have the money for a lawyer, they do it themselves.

“It’s a bad sign if he’s the only one who can do that, but it’s a very good sign if, after that, everyone will be able to do it.”

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