“There is lack of trust from tennis players towards WADA and ITIA” – Djokovic on Sinner’s doping saga

The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic on Monday claimed his colleagues on the ATP and WTA tours have lost some faith in ITIA and WADA after seeing how the anti-doping bodies handled Jannik Sinner‘s Indian Wells drugs case.

Sinner remained under confidential investigation from the ITIA while actively competing as a pro for months following two failed dope tests for clostebol during the Indian Wells Open in March 2024. The tennis custodian cleared the Italian of any wrongdoing in August, accepting his argument that the banned drug reached his body due to the negligence of his ex-physio Giacomo Naldi.

However, WADA, unconvinced with ITIA’s trial, moved CAS, seeking a ban ranging12-24 months on the world No 1. On Saturday (February 15), WADA withdrew its appeal from CAS and settled the case with Sinner independently, handing him a three-month ban.

The decision divided the tennis community, with many players opting to openly criticise the process.

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Most recently, Djokovic too voiced his discontent from Doha ahead of his match against Matteo Berrettini.

“The inconsistency is something that frustrates all the players,” the Serbian star said. “If you’re going to treat every case individually or independently, which is what’s happening, then there’s no consistency, no transparency. Some cases are transparent, some are not.

“There’s a kind of a vague rule that I read… within a reasonable time you have to provide information where you got contaminated substance. He [Jannik Sinner] provided it in this, as I understand, six-hour window but it doesn’t say in the rule that it’s six hours, it’s ‘reasonable time’. What’s the reasonable time?”

Right now there is lack of trust, generally, from the tennis players, both male and female, towards WADA and the ITIA and the whole process.”

Novak Djokovic

The world No 7 further called for an open discussion on standardising the trials for every dope offender.

“In one case, you can have a large contamination, in some cases, you have a smaller one, like in this case. But the problem is, you know, right now there is lack of trust, generally, from the tennis players, both male and female, towards WADA and the ITIA and the whole process.

“So, we’re either going to agree that all the cases will be transparent from the beginning or all will be kept private until they are resolved. I have no opinion of that right now. I think it’s important to open the discussion and then let’s see what’s best for the sport.”

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