Novak Djokovic, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has voiced his concerns about the handling of doping cases in the sport. Djokovic, who is preparing for the Australian Open where he aims to secure his 25th Grand Slam title, expressed frustration over what he perceives as double standards in the sport.
During a press conference in Brisbane, Djokovic criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the doping case involving current world No.1 Jannik Sinner. He highlighted the issue of players being kept in the dark about such cases, citing instances where players have faced suspensions without testing positive for banned substances.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) charged both Sinner and former women’s world No.1 Iga Swiatek with anti-doping breaches earlier this year. Sinner tested positive for an anabolic steroid but was not banned after the ITIA ruled he was not at fault. Swiatek, on the other hand, accepted a one-month suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.
Djokovic also questioned the ATP's handling of doping cases and criticized the lack of public discussion on the matter. He raised concerns about the disparity in treatment of players based on rankings, financial backing, and legal representation.
Despite his frustrations with the doping issues in tennis, Djokovic remains focused on the upcoming season. After undergoing knee surgery, he made a strong comeback to reach the Wimbledon final but opted to skip the ATP Finals. Djokovic is now gearing up for the Australian Open, where he has had significant success in the past, winning 10 titles.
For the upcoming tournament, Djokovic has enlisted former rival Andy Murray as his coach. While acknowledging the unusual nature of working with a former competitor, Djokovic praised Murray's professionalism and dedication.
As Djokovic prepares to return to the court in Brisbane, his comments on doping cases have sparked discussions about the need for greater transparency and consistency in addressing such issues in professional tennis.
