Novak Djokovic calls for ‘clear protocols’ following Jannik Sinner anti-doping case - ‘A lot of issues in the system’
Published 25/08/2024 at 13:50 GMT+1
Novak Djokovic has given his thoughts on the anti-doping case surrounding world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and says there "has to be a change" to the protocols because there are currently "a lot of issues in the system". Sinner has been cleared after twice testing positive for a banned steroid called clostebol, while Carlos Alcaraz has also given his thoughts on the "very serious" case.
'There has to be a change' - Djokovic wants consistency in doping rules after Sinner case
Video credit: SNTV
Novak Djokovic believes there “has to be change” to current protocol practice in tennis doping cases following the controversy surrounding world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
The 23-year-old Italian, who won his maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, escaped a ban after twice testing positive for a banned substance linked to building muscle mass in March.
Djokovic feels there are “a lot of issues” in the current system and wants to see “standardised approaches” in the future to avoid similar incidents.
"As I understood, his case was cleared the moment basically it was announced,” Djokovic said in the aftermath of Sinner’s case.
“But I think five or six months [had] passed since the news [of the positive tests] was brought to him and his team.
"Yeah, there are a lot of issues in the system. We see a lack of standardised and clear protocols. I can understand the sentiments of a lot of players who are questioning whether they are treated the same.
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'I haven't done anything wrong' - Sinner relieved after being cleared of anti-doping test failure
Video credit: SNTV
"Hopefully, the governing bodies of our sport will be able to learn from this case and have a better approach for the future. I think collectively there has to be a change."
Both Djokovic and Sinner head to the US Open in the coming days in a bid to claim the crown at Flushing Meadows, while Carlos Alcaraz will aim to take back the title he won in 2022.
The 21-year-old Spaniard has insisted he will be “at 100%” for the tournament despite an injury scare, and also gave his thoughts on the “very sensitive and serious” case surrounding Sinner.
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"I think there is some info ‘behind’ that a lot of people don’t know, and I include myself because I don’t know," the world No. 3 said.
"It is very difficult to speak about it. He tested positive but there have been some reasons that we don’t know that allowed him to play.
"There is not much I can say about it. In the end, he was innocent, or they consider him innocent, therefore Jannik will play in the tournament and there is not much else to say."
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