Rafael Nadal has publicly expressed unwavering support for Jannik Sinner amid the Italian tennis star’s doping controversy, stating he “100% believes” in Sinner’s innocence.
In an interview with the Spanish talk show El Hormiguero, Nadal emphasized his trust in Sinner’s integrity, asserting, “I know Sinner; I don’t believe that Sinner wanted to dope.” He further remarked, “Justice is justice, and I believe in justice,” underscoring his confidence in the decision-making of relevant authorities.
The controversy began when Sinner tested positive for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, during the 2024 Indian Wells tournament. An independent tribunal convened by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) concluded that Sinner was not at fault, attributing the presence of the banned substance to inadvertent contamination through a treatment administered by his physiotherapist . The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) initially appealed this decision, seeking a suspension of up to two years. However, Sinner accepted a three-month ban, acknowledging the negligence of his entourage while maintaining his innocence.
Nadal’s defense of Sinner contrasts with the views of some other players. Novak Djokovic has called for a review of tennis’ anti-doping protocols, expressing concerns about fairness and consistency in handling doping cases . Similarly, Nick Kyrgios criticized the leniency of Sinner’s sanction, suggesting that any doping violation, regardless of intent, should result in a ban.
Despite the criticism, Nadal remains steadfast in his belief that the authorities acted appropriately. He stated, “I’m totally confident that if he has not been sanctioned, it is because those who have had to judge this case have seen very clearly that there were no sanctions to be imposed,” emphasizing that the decision was based on the facts and not influenced by Sinner’s status as the world No. 1.
In summary, Nadal’s support for Sinner highlights a commitment to upholding justice and fairness in the sport, even amidst controversy and differing opinions within the tennis community.
