New York — novak djokovic Why do some tennis players question whether the sport has a double standard? Janik sinner Not suspended Despite testing positive for steroids twiceHe said on Saturday that he agreed it “lacked stability.”
Sinner twice tested positive for anabolic steroids in March, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined the banned performance-enhancing drug had entered his body inadvertently through a massage from his physiotherapist.
The decision was announced Tuesday, less than a week before Sinner is set to enter the US Open as the No. 1 seed. Djokovic, who captured a men’s record 24th Grand Slam singles title by winning the tournament last year, is the No. 2 seed.
“I understand there is disappointment among the players because there is a lack of consistency in performances,” Djokovic said. “As I understand it, his case was approved the moment it was announced.”
After the news broke, some players commented on social media wondering if Sinner was relieved to be one of the best players in the game.
“We see a lack of standardized and clear protocols. I can understand the feelings of many players who are questioning whether they are treated equally,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic said the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he co-founded, advocates on behalf of players for clear and fair protocols and a standardized approach to cases.
“There have been several players who have had similar or almost identical cases where they have not had the same outcome, and the question now is whether it is a matter of money – whether a player is able to pay a large sum of money to a law firm that can represent his case more efficiently,” Djokovic said.
carlos alcarazThe 2022 US Open champion, said Sinner’s case was a delicate issue.
“I think there’s something behind this that a lot of people don’t know. Even I don’t know. In the end, it’s very difficult to talk about,” Alcaraz said.
“Ultimately, he tested positive, but there must have been some reason why he continued to play, which we don’t know. So I can’t say much about it. He was declared innocent and that’s why we included Jannik in the tournament, so there’s not much to talk about and I’m not in a position to say anything more.”