BRISBANE, Australia — As he readies himself for a highly anticipated return to the court, Novak Djokovic has spoken out on the controversial doping allegations circling tennis, criticizing what he sees as unfair inconsistencies in how cases are handled within the sport.
The former world No. 1, aiming for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title at next month’s Australian Open, shared his concerns on Sunday about being left “in the dark” concerning the doping investigation involving top-ranked Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, this week’s top seed at the Brisbane International—marking his first appearance at the tournament since 2009—will also partner with Australia’s Nick Kyrgios for the doubles event, which is sure to be a highlight of Monday’s action.
Off the court, Djokovic echoed Kyrgios’s strong stance from the previous day, delving deep into the ongoing doping issues related to current world No. 1, Jannik Sinner.
“I’m not casting doubt on whether (Sinner) took the banned substance intentionally or not,” Djokovic asserted during a press conference in Brisbane. “However, we’ve seen numerous players, both past and present, facing suspensions without ever testing positive for banned substances.”
“There are lower-ranked players who’ve been awaiting resolution on their cases for over a year now. My frustration is palpable as we’ve been kept uninformed regarding the Sinner case for at least five months.”
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has leveled anti-doping violations against both Sinner and former women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek this year.
Although Sinner tested positive for an anabolic steroid twice in March, he was spared a ban after the ITIA determined he was not at fault. The World Anti-Doping Agency has since appealed that ruling.
Meanwhile, Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension in November for testing positive for the drug trimetazidine.
Djokovic did not hold back when addressing the lack of transparency from tennis governing bodies regarding doping infractions.
“The ATP hasn’t engaged in thorough discussions about this topic. Why is Sinner’s case being kept away from public scrutiny? We are familiar with the cases of Simona Halep in the WTA Tour and now Iga Swiatek,” Djokovic criticized.
“This doesn’t reflect well on our sport. I question the way the system operates and why certain players seem to be treated differently than others. Perhaps ranking factors or financial backing and robust legal teams play roles in these disparities.”
Nevertheless, Djokovic remains centered on the upcoming season. After a knee surgery earlier this year, he made a comeback to reach the Wimbledon final but opted out of the ATP Finals, during which Sinner capped off his remarkable season with an eighth title.
Looking to enhance his legacy at Melbourne Park—where he boasts an impressive 10 Australian Open titles—Djokovic has enlisted former rival Andy Murray as his coach for the tournament.
“It feels surreal to share these insights about my on-court experiences and thoughts with someone who has been one of my primary rivals,” Djokovic noted. “But I’m incredibly grateful and excited that he accepted to work with me. In Australia, he brings a meticulous, dedicated, and professional approach to our collaboration.”
