Novak Djokovic’s PTPA Blasts Tailored Deals After WADA-Jannik Sinner Settlement
Novak Djokovic’s PTPA issued a pretty strong reaction to the WADA-Jannik Sinner settlement news as they appeared to suggest that “bias” played a role in how the case was handled.
After the ITIA determined that the Italian bore no fault or negligence for two failed doping tests, the WADA contested that ruling and wanted a 1-2 year suspension for the 23-year-old.
But instead of the two parties meeting in court in Lausanne between April 16-17, the three-time Grand Slam winner will spend the next three months banned after settling with the world’s biggest anti-doping agency.
When it was revealed that Sinner’s ban started on February 9th and would conclude on May 4th, the first thing that struck many was that the Italian wouldn’t miss any Grand Slams.
In general, the majority believed that the world No. 1 got the most favorable deal.
PTPA reacts to the Sinner ban: It’s not just the different results for different players…
“No matter who you root for, several things are now clear,” the association said in a statement.
“The ‘system’ is not a system. It’s a club. Supposed ‘case-by-case’ discretion is, in fact, merely cover for tailored deals, unfair treatment, and inconsistent rulings.
“It is not just the different results for different players. It is the lack of transparency. The lack of process. The lack of consistency. The lack of credibility in the alphabet soup of agencies charged with regulating our sports and athletes. The lack of commitment from the ATP, WTA, Grand Slams, ITIA, and WADA to reform and create a fair and transparent system going forward.”
“This bias is unacceptable to all athletes and shows a deep lack of respect for all sports and their fans. It is time to change. And we will change it.”
In the offseason, Iga Swiatek served a one-month doping suspension.
Now, Sinner will serve a three-month suspension.
But the main issue that fans but also the general public have is the fact that some other players received much longer suspensions and that’s why some claim that not everyone gets treated the same in doping cases.
