Bengaluru, India — As Janik Sinner approaches the end of the three-month doping ban that shakes the tennis world, players are flocking to anti-doping authorities seeking advice on how to avoid positive testing due to pollution.
The sinner agreed to a settlement with the world’s doping agencies in February and began a three-month suspension after authorities confirmed that they had entered his system via massage from his physiotherapist.
His lawsuit and Iga Swiatek’s lawsuit — which provided a month-long suspension in the fall after testing positive for the banned substance trimethazidine — said that many players are being carelessly caught up in the doping net, and that the International Tennis Integrity Agency will step up their efforts to help them stay ahead of the safety.
“We’ve seen an increase in players seeking advice and support since the high-profile incident, and we’re working on ways to make it easier,” ITIA told Reuters. “There are plenty of resources available to help you check supplements and medications, and if players, coaches or medical staff have questions, you can contact us.
“We’re not trying to trip people up. Our role is to protect the sport and maintain an equal arena.”
Thinner’s lawsuit has risen to vigilance amid the tennis fraternity, but some players are unhappy with how it was treated with the belief that the 23-year-old received favorable treatment.
Novak Jjokovic expressed his dissatisfaction earlier this year with the incident being “stayed in the dark,” but the candid Nick Kyrgios said it was “unpleasant” for sports.
American great Serena Williams rekindled the debate ahead of the return of the sinner in Rome next week, saying that in the 20-year ban she took the Grand Slam title if she tested positive in a similar way.
ITIA cements that all cases will be handled based on facts and evidence, not on player names, nationalities or rankings.
Aside from his suspension, the sinner has been barely affected by the fuss, defending the Australian open title in January after winning the US Open last year.
In Rome, the world’s number one spot will put the doping saga behind him and aim to build momentum for the French opening in late May.
He is almost certain that Roland Garros will remain at the top of the world rankings after Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz failed to exploit his absence during a clay court swing, but he does not expect a smooth path to return.
“It’s certainly not easy for me. The first game will be really difficult,” Thinner said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to get back to rhythm and then I’ll see what that will turn out.”
Spain’s great Rafael Nadal said that the sinner should now be allowed to focus on his tennis, and that he acknowledged that the incident was not positive for the sport.
“In the end, if I wasn’t wrong, he came out of the innocent sentence,” Nadal told the UK’s Daily Telegraph. “But these things happen sometimes and accidents happen. That’s how I see this because I believe in Jannik. I’m sure Jannik knows he didn’t cheat or give him an advantage over the others.
“I am sure Janik is an innocent and moral person. …I believe in the ruling. Giannik has accepted these three months of sanctions.