After Sinner's verdict

Novak Djokovic shakes his head: “Very unfair!”

Jannik Sinner (right) only received a lenient punishment - to the incomprehension of Novak Djokovic (left).(Bild: AFP/HECTOR RETAMA, AP/Andy Wong)

Novak Djokovic has now also reacted to Jannik Sinner's ultimately quite lenient three-month ban following his doping offense. The verdict was "inconsistent" and "very unfair".

"The majority of players have the feeling that they are being favored. It seems like you can almost influence the outcome if you are a top player and have access to the best lawyers," Serbia's tennis superstar shook his head before his start in Doha. He compared Sinner's suspension to that of Iga Swiatek, who was only suspended for one month after a positive doping test.

Novak Djokovic(Bild: AFP/APA/WILLIAM WEST)

Romania's Simona Halep and Great Britain's Tara Moore, as well as "some other players who are perhaps less well-known, have been fighting for years to clear up their cases or have been banned for years," said Djokovic. It was now time to "really look at the system, because the system and the structure are not working to fight doping, that's obvious".

Lenient punishment for Sinner after deal
Sinner had tested positive twice for the anabolic steroid Clostebol in March 2024. In September, WADA appealed against a subsequent acquittal by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The case would have been heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in April.

However, a few days ago WADA accepted the player's explanation for the reason for the offense and believes the South Tyrolean did not knowingly dope. WADA has not asked for any previous results to be overturned. The now only three-month ban applies retroactively from February 9 to May 4. He is officially allowed to train again from April 13. WADA has withdrawn its appeal to CAS.