Djokovic Questions Fairness After Sinner's Steroid Case Exemption

Novak Djokovic voiced his concerns over perceived inconsistencies in tennis regulations after Jannik Sinner was not suspended despite twice testing positive for steroids. Sinner's case was deemed unintentional, causing other players to question fairness. Djokovic emphasized the need for clear, standardized protocols to ensure uniform treatment for all athletes.

Novak Djokovic has expressed his understanding of tennis players' frustrations regarding perceived double standards in the sport, following Jannik Sinner's exemption from suspension despite twice testing positive for steroids.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found that the banned substance entered Sinner's system unintentionally during a massage, clearing him ahead of the U.S. Open where he is the top-seeded player. Djokovic highlighted, "the lack of consistency" in handling such cases, noting that other players with similar situations faced different outcomes.

Djokovic, co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association, called for standardized approaches to ensure fairness, emphasizing that legal and financial resources should not determine the outcome of doping cases. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, also acknowledged the complexity of Sinner's case.

(With inputs from agencies.)