Djokovic Fears Doping Case Will Shadow Sinner's Career

Novak Djokovic expressed concern that the doping controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner will cast a lasting shadow over the Italian player's career, drawing parallels to his own experience with Australia's COVID-19 vaccine requirements three years ago. In an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan aired this week, the Serbian tennis star questioned the handling of Sinner's case by antidoping authorities, citing a lack of transparency and perceived inconsistencies in the process.

Sinner, the current world No. 1 and a four-time Grand Slam champion, tested positive twice for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, during an ATP event in March 2024. The substance, which can aid muscle building, entered his system unintentionally, according to an investigation accepted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency's independent tribunal. Officials determined that Sinner bore no fault, attributing the contamination to his physiotherapist, who had applied a spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his own finger before performing massages on the player.

The World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the initial no-fault ruling, leading to a settlement in February 2025. Sinner accepted partial...