Turmoil in the tennis scene: Sinner doping case: ATP boss calls for better communication

In the Jannik Sinner doping affair, ATP boss Andrea Gaudenzi called for better communication and at the same time rejected preferential treatment for the world number one. If someone suggests that there are double standards, he thinks it is “unfair,” as he said at the annual tournament of the professional organization ATP in Turin. “The rules were the same. The circumstances are different,” said Sinner’s former professional and Italian compatriot.

Sinner tested positive twice for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol in March. The 23-year-old did not receive a ban. The responsible tennis agency ITIA justified the acquittal by saying that no intentional fault or negligence could be proven on the part of the two-time Grand Slam tournament winner.

Tennis star is positive about the Sports Court’s decision

Sinner explained that the banned substance entered his body through his physiotherapist’s hands during a massage. The case is now before the Cas International Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne. The World Anti-Doping Agency Wada objected to the acquittal and is calling for a ban of one to two years.

After his final preliminary round match at the ATP Finals, Sinner remained optimistic that he would be able to avoid a ban. “I am very confident,” he affirmed. “We had the hearing three times. I was proven right three times,” said the 23-year-old. Of course he doesn’t like being in this position. He will work with everyone, as he has done before.

ATP speaks of a “fair process”

Gaudenzi was of the opinion that it was generally a “fair trial”. “It really was done by the book and by the rules. Maybe the communication could have been better when explaining those rules,” he said.

The ATP boss rejected the fact that the process was taking too long. In an ideal world, justice would certainly be served very quickly, said Gaudenzi: “But the reality is that sometimes it takes time.” Otherwise the probability of errors would increase.

They only became public in August, months after the positive doping samples. Gaudenzi said he only found out about it a day before the public. It was right that the ATP was left in the dark. “It should be completely independent,” Gaudenzi said. The case was “of course a shock”. But the evidence afterwards was comforting.

Sinner is playing in Italy again for the first time

For the first time this year and therefore also for the first time since the acquittal was announced after the two positive doping tests, Sinner is currently competing in his home country of Italy. At the season finale of the eight most successful players of the year, the Australian Open and US champion is the top favorite and reached the semi-finals as first in his group. The two semi-finals will be played on Saturday.