By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Monday, February 17, 2025
Photo credit: Richard Pelham/Getty
Novak Djokovic: The Ace of Singles Grand Slams.
In the aftermath of Jannik Sinner‘s recent three-month suspension, 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic has voiced concerns regarding a perceived disparity in how tennis elites are treated versus the wider player community.
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Before embarking on his quest for a record 100th singles title, Djokovic faced the media in Doha and shared his thoughts on Sinner’s decision to accept a suspension in connection to his doping case.
Former World No. 1 Djokovic expressed that the situation appears “strange” to him and suggested that many players around him perceive unfairness, noting that Sinner’s suspension conveniently concludes in May, allowing him to continue competing for major titles.
“Jannik faces a three-month suspension stemming from some oversights by his team, which is part of our tour,” Djokovic explained during the press briefing. “It’s a peculiar scenario that I, along with numerous other players, find unsettling.
“I’ve had discussions with several athletes in the locker room, not only recently but throughout the last few months.”
“A significant number of them harbor discontent with how everything has unfolded and feel it lacks fairness. There’s a notion that favoritism is at play.”
The 10-time Australian Open champion indicated that the situation underlines how top stars have the resources to hire elite legal counsel, potentially swaying outcomes to their advantage.
“It appears that top-tier players can influence the results if they have access to top lawyers,” Djokovic remarked to reporters in Doha.
Sinner’s suspension will bar him from competitive play from February 9 to May 4, as announced by the World Anti-Doping Agency on Saturday.
WADA had escalated Sinner’s case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with the possibility that a ruling could impose a suspension of a year or longer if the appeal succeeded.
In March, Sinner tested positive for the prohibited steroid clostebol in “low levels,” a finding made public by the International Tennis Integrity Agency just prior to the US Open.
While Sinner faced no immediate suspension because an independent tribunal found him “not at fault” for the contamination, the three-month ban means he won’t be sidelined during major competitions as he aims for a calendar Grand Slam.
“This case has loomed over me for nearly a year, and as the process dragged on, I realized a resolution could take even longer,” Sinner stated. “I understand that I’m accountable for my team’s actions and acknowledge that WADA’s stringent rules serve as crucial protection for the sport I cherish.
“Hence, I’ve consented to WADA’s proposition to settle this matter with a three-month sanction.”
The Serbian sensation pointed out that the different treatment between Sinner’s case and those of former No. 1 Simona Halep and British player Tara Moore highlights a troubling disparity.
“Simona Halep and Tara Moore, along with other lesser-known players, have faced protracted struggles with their cases or received lengthy bans,” Djokovic commented.
