New Delhi: The game of tennis needs to introduce transparent and standarised protocols to judge doping caases, Paris Olympics gold champion Novak Djokovic said after top-ranked Jannik Sinner wasn’t punished despite two positive tests this year.
Sinner has insisted that he has been treated just as any other player after some players though the Italian was given special treatment for becoming the World No.1.
The players have questioned how Sinner could escape provisional suspension while the investigation into his doping offences was conducted.
Earlier in the year, the 23-year-old Italian first tested positive for prohibited substance clostebol in March during the Indian Wells Masters and his second sample that was tested out of comptition also turned out to be positive.
In his defence, Sinner said a spray used by his physiotherapist to treat a cut and then applying massage and sports therapy to him was the cause of presence of the prohibites substance
He was allowed to continue playing while he was under probe. The International Tennis Integrity Agency clared him of wrongdoing on Tuesday, after which Sinner sacked physio Giacomo Naldi and trainer Umberto Ferrara.
Djokovic said he feels for those who who have asked for lack of transparency in the manner in which Sinner’s case has been handled.
“I understand the frustration of the players is there because of lack of consistency,” 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic told reporters.
“As I understood, his case was cleared the moment basically it was announced. But, you know, I think five or six months passed since the news (of the positive tests) was brought to him and his team.
“So, yeah, there is a lot of issues in the system. We see lack of standardized and clear protocols. I can understand the sentiments of a lot of players that are questioning whether they are treated the same.”
Djokovic spoke in New York where he is preparing to defend his US Open title.
Jannik Sinner tested positive for prohibited substance clostebol twice but escaped punishment. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
