Djokovic Criticizes Tennis Anti-Doping System for Perceived Favouritism

TDT | Manama

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Novak Djokovic has raised concerns about favouritism in tennis' anti-doping system, claiming that many players feel there are inconsistencies, especially in recent cases involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek.

Sinner recently accepted a three-month ban for testing positive for the anabolic agent clostebol, while Swiatek served a one-month suspension in 2024 after her test revealed the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ). Djokovic was careful not to accuse either player of intentional wrongdoing but criticized the treatment they received from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

“The cases of Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner have received a lot of attention, and it’s not a good look for our sport,” said the 24-time Grand Slam champion at the Qatar Open on Monday. “A majority of players don’t think the process is fair. They feel there is favouritism at play.”

Djokovic suggested that top players, who have access to elite lawyers and resources, may have an advantage when it comes to handling such issues. “It seems like if you’re a top player, you can almost influence the outcome,” he added.

Several prominent players, including Nick Kyrgios, Stan Wawrinka, and Tim Henman, have questioned the circumstances surrounding Sinner’s case. Henman, in particular, noted the timing of Sinner’s ban expiration, just before the Rome Masters and French Open, which seemed “too convenient.”

As a co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), Djokovic emphasized that the mistrust of the anti-doping system runs deep among players. “Now is the right time to address the system,” Djokovic stated. “It’s clear that it doesn’t work, and I hope the governing bodies of our Tours and the tennis ecosystem can come together and find a more effective way to deal with these matters.”

Djokovic also pointed to the apparent disparity in how different doping cases are handled, particularly when comparing Sinner's case to others like that of Romanian Simona Halep and British player Tara Moore, who have struggled for years to resolve their cases.

“Sinner’s suspension came because of mistakes and negligence by his team,” Djokovic explained. “It’s something that many players, including myself, find strange.”

He continued: “There are so many inconsistencies between the cases. Some players who are less known, like Simona Halep and Tara Moore, have had to deal with bans lasting for years. Meanwhile, Sinner and Swiatek were number one players when these issues arose.”

Djokovic's comments reflect ongoing concerns within the sport about the fairness and transparency of the anti-doping process.