Jannik Sinner‘s case settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) caused anger among many, but the Italian has found support from Toni Nadal, who does not believe he deserved a suspension.
Almost 12 months after Sinner tested positive twice for clostebol at the 2024 Indian Wells Open due to accidental contamination from his physiotherapist, the ATP world No. 1’s team and WADA agreed to a ban until May 4th.
That was an unexpected development since Sinner’s appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on April 16th and 17th had been scheduled. At that stage, WADA appeared serious about a ban of between one and two years.
Many notable figures in tennis expressed outrage. Novak Djokovic revealed that many players in the locker room felt Sinner was given preferential treatment since others did not get a chance to settle their doping cases.
Nick Kyrgios, Sinner’s most vocal critic since his case became public, called it a dark day for the sport and said there was no fairness in tennis. He wants all players who test positive to receive a two-year ban.
Rafael Nadal’s uncle does not agree. He told Marca that the focus should be on punishing players who deliberately try to cheat instead of players like Sinner, who WADA acknowledges did not mean to take anything prohibited.
“I am against the sanction. I know Sinner personally, and he had no will to commit a crime, and you can’t treat a person like that for a mistake produced by chance. One has to punish the people who intentionally do things wrong and seek their own benefit. And I know it’s not the case with Sinner.”
Toni then made a startling remark. He claimed that some of those who have publicly criticized Sinner are not clean themselves, meaning it would be better for them if they did not say anything.
“So, why do you want to sanction? It is true that they say that others who are not number 1 were sanctioned because they did it wrong before. I am surprised that different players have positioned themselves against it, even some of the highest level and some who are not very clean themselves.”
It was unclear which players Toni was referring to with that remark. He may have meant the players who received longer bans than Sinner who have spoken out about him being given preferable treatment in their eyes.
Some conspiracy theorists might think he is speaking about one of his nephew Rafael’s rivals, such as Novak Djokovic, but there is no evidence whatsoever that the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s uncle and former coach meant that with his words.
What Toni’s comments do show is the division that exists in the tennis world in relation to Sinner’s case. Opinions range from he should not have received any ban, to it should have been longer, while others think the length given in the case settlement was just.
Sinner’s first tournament back will be on home soil at the 2025 Italian Open. He will not miss any Grand Slams during his time on the sidelines.
