Alexander Zverev doesn’t really sound as too happy about how the Jannik Sinner doping case was handled as the German remarked that those in charge of the investigation needed to 100 percent conclusively agree on whether the Italian was “at fault” or not for a failed doping test, and then take proper actions.
After the ITIA’s investigation determined that the world No. 1 bore no fault or negligence for a failed doping test, he was cleared to continue competing.
But then, the WADA stepped in and contested that ruling, claiming that the 23-year-old should bear some responsibility because the physio who provided him with a contaminated product was a member of his team and therefore his responsibility.
This past Saturday, the WADA announced that they held conversations with Sinner’s representatives and that all parties agreed on a three-month suspension – the WADA previously said they would seek a 1-2 year ban for the Italian in their CAS case that was scheduled for April.
Addressing it, Zverev pretty much said that either the current world No. 1 should have been fully cleared if innocent or receive a stronger suspension if guilty of breaching rules.
Zverev: It’s a weird situation… Either you decide it’s Sinner’s fault or not
“It’s a weird situation because it’s been obviously a very long process where first he is cleared, then obviously WADA wanted to have a second look at it and stuff like that. To me, I think, you know, there’s two options,” the German told CLAY.
“Either you’re at no fault and you should get no suspension at all. Because if you have no fault, then you have no fault. You shouldn’t get punished. But if you do have fault, then I think for taking steroids, three months is not a suspension.
“So for me, it’s either you have to decide was it his fault or was it not his fault. If it’s not his fault then he shouldn’t get a three-month suspension but if it is his fault then this is weird in a way.”
Sinner’s suspension started on February 9th and will end on May 4th, which makes him free to play the French Open.
Also the Italian avoided losing any of his titles that he had won in the past months, including the Australian Open one that he collected by beating Zverev.
