Denis Shapovalov, along with other tennis players, spoke out against perceived double standards in the sport when Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked player, was not punished for failing two drug tests in one year.
On Tuesday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that an independent tribunal had given Sinner the green light to keep playing, leading former top 10 player Shapovalov to question if the Italian was given special treatment.
The Canadian expressed on social media that he cannot fathom how other banned players feel due to contaminated substances.
Reuters reached out to Sinner’s management team for a response.
He mentioned that we are grateful there is no ban added, so we are not seeking any sorrow or anything. He would never deliberately engage in any actions, and he finds himself in an extremely unlucky situation.
The Italian player’s urine sample at Indian Wells in March showed traces of clostebol, a banned substance, and a subsequent test also detected low levels of the substance in his system. However, the 23-year-old was able to dispute the automatic provisional suspensions.
He is now able to participate in the competition taking place from Aug. 26 to Sept. The last Grand Slam tournament of the year is the 8th US Open.
Sinner, defeated in the semifinals of Indian Wells, had 400 ranking points and $325,000 in prize money taken away.
The winner of the Australian Open, who denies any wrongdoing, claimed that the substance got into his body during massages from his physiotherapist, who had applied a spray with clostebol for his finger injury.
British player Liam Broady expressed in a social media post that it is not appropriate, regardless of whether Sinner was using performance-enhancing drugs or not. Many players experience similar situations and must wait months or even years for their innocence to be proven. “It doesn’t look good.”
The ITIA, a separate entity created in 2021 by the sport’s governing bodies, stated that after seeking advice from specialists, they deemed Sinner’s clarification as believable and consequently supported his requests to remove the temporary bans.
Tara Moore, the previous top-ranked British doubles player, who was suspended for 19 months due to a failed drug test before being vindicated last year, went on social media to highlight the difference in the handling of her case compared to Sinner’s.
“I suppose only the images of the top players are important,” Moore stated. I suppose only the unbiased tribunal’s views on the top players are considered valid and accurate. However, in my situation, they do doubt them. “It simply doesn’t make sense.”
Ex-Wimbledon titleholder Simona Halep received a temporary suspension in October 2022 and was subsequently barred for a duration of four years due to committing two distinct anti-doping rule infractions.
It was shortened to nine months in March, but was later reduced after an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The PTPA, founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2020, stated the need for uniformity in the system.
Ahmad Nassar, an executive director of the player, mentioned that it is usually positive when players succeed in appeals against anti-doping violations.
However, it is necessary to establish defined, uniform procedures for every participant. Regardless of ranking, be it one, 100, or 1,000; regardless of gender. And regardless of the part of the world they reside in.
The lack of a definite and steady system causes evident issues for players who do not fit the preferred ranking, gender, or nationality. The lack of presence also weakens the tennis establishment’s reputation with fans and media.
The decision made on Tuesday may still be appealed by either the World Anti-Doping Agency or the Italian Anti-Doping Agency.
Reuters has asked for additional input from ITIA following the critique. Australian player Nick Kyrgios also spoke out against the decision.
“On social media, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist expressed disbelief, whether it was intentional or unintentional.” If you test positive twice for a banned substance (steroid), you should receive a two-year suspension.