Keystone
On the sidelines of the US Open, Roger Federer denounces the unanswered questions in the doping scandal surrounding world number one Jannik Sinner.
“I think we all pretty much trust that Jannik didn’t do anything,” Federer said on NBC’s “Today” program on US television. “But the possible inconsistency of him not sitting out while they weren’t 100 percent sure what was going on – I think that question needs to be answered.” You have to trust the process, but, “I understand the frustration: has he been treated the same as others?” asked Federer.
Sinner had been acquitted shortly before the Grand Slam tournament after he had previously tested positive for two doping tests. The public had not heard anything about the proceedings until the acquittal. According to the tennis agency responsible, Itia, Sinner was acquitted by an independent court two weeks ago for the two positive tests in March for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol. The Australian Open winner’s explanation that the banned substance had accidentally entered his body through a massage was considered conclusive.
“That’s something we don’t want to see in our sport, that kind of news, whether he did something or not,” said the 43-year-old Federer, who ended his career two years ago with 20 Grand Slam titles. “I understand it’s a tricky situation. It’s every athlete’s and team’s nightmare to have these allegations and problems.”
Novak Djokovic had already denounced unequal treatment of other tennis pros in the doping furor surrounding Sinner. “I understand the frustration of the players because there is a lack of consistency. We see a lack of standardized and clear protocols,” said the 37-year-old Serb in New York.
SDA
