Tennis icon Novak Djokovic has addressed concerns surrounding Jannik Sinner’s doping case and subsequent suspension at the beginning of 2025. Sinner, the Italian tennis star, accepted a three-month ban after testing positive twice in 2024.
Initially, Sinner escaped punishment as a tribunal determined that the failed tests for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, were due to contamination during a massage by his fitness coach. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) concluded that Sinner was not at fault for the positive results discovered in March 2024.
The ITIA defended its handling of Sinner’s case last year and dismissed claims of preferential treatment. In February, Sinner reached a resolution with the World Anti-Doping Agency, which had challenged the initial decision not to suspend him.
Ranked No. 2 globally, Sinner served his three-month suspension from February to May this year, strategically allowing him to participate in the French Open which commenced in late May.
Djokovic, who lost to Sinner in the semi-finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon in July, recently shared his views on Sinner’s situation during a comprehensive discussion with Piers Morgan covering various topics.
Expressing his thoughts, Djokovic mentioned, “In time, the issue may fade, but it won’t completely vanish. There will always be a faction keen on bringing it up. I’ve known Jannik since he was around 13 or 14 years old, practicing with him when he was a junior. I found him genuine, nice, and reserved.”
“He had his own world and wasn’t concerned with societal attention. He aimed to be the best player he could be, and I admired his mindset. I was genuinely surprised by what happened. I believe he didn’t intend to cheat, but the handling of the case raised many concerns.”
Djokovic faced criticism himself regarding his stance on the Covid-19 vaccination during the pandemic, resulting in his deportation from Australia for the 2022 Australian Open.
Regarding this, Djokovic clarified, “I’ve always been an advocate for freedom of choice, not anti-vax or pro-vax. Unfortunately, my position was misunderstood.”
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports package ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering savings of £192 and access to over 1,400 live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky will broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 matches.