Daniil Medvedev supported Jannik Sinner during his doping saga, explaining that it’s not necessarily a bad look for tennis.
There have been numerous narratives about Sinner’s doping saga since it occurred. The Italian tested positive for a banned substance, clostebol, in March, and while an independent investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing, the news shocked many when it broke.
Many aspects of how the situation was handled were called into question, but one of the most prevalent narratives was the negative image it cast on tennis.
Sinner was the World No. 1 player when the news broke, and having the top player test positive for a banned substance didn’t send a good message. While this reasoning is understandable, Medvedev doesn’t believe it’s necessarily a bad look for tennis.
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The Russian was one of the players who openly stated that he believed Sinner did nothing wrong, which is certainly a strong endorsement. Having the backing of rivals and colleagues highlights the respect a player and his tennis command.
When asked about it recently at the 2024 China Open in Beijing, Medvedev gave a very thoughtful response.
“Actually, to be honest, I didn’t discuss it much in the locker room, of course except with my Russian friends because we talk more. I would generally think that the view, like everything in life, is some think that he should be banned, whatever, some think no, he should not be.”
Medvedev on Sinner’s doping saga
“My view is always on these things is kind of try to distance myself where the situation is very tough for him, for sure, to deal with it.”
“As I always said, no one wants to be in this situation because, I said it in US Open press, for me imagine tomorrow you get an email, because I think it’s an email, you fail your doping test. They say for whatever reason, like cocaine or some drug you don’t even know the name of.”
“You’re like, Wow, what I do now because I have no idea how it happened that it’s in my pee, blood, whatever. So, yeah, it’s a tricky situation.”
Sinner’s situation became complicated recently after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched an appeal into his case, essentially reopening the whole matter.
It was a frustrating development for Sinner, and Medvedev can certainly understand the frustration. He backed him once again and reiterated his sympathies towards him.
“I want to say he does what he needs to do. WADA does probably what they need to do. Let’s see how it finishes. We thought maybe it was finished, but no. Yeah, I’m the same a little bit like Carlos. I’m sympathetic to Jannik.”
Medvedev backs Sinner’s innocence
“I don’t think it has a bad, really bad look in tennis because I think, yeah, if 10 top-10 players suddenly would be on the same substance or something, it would be different. I think it’s just an individual situation which we’ll see how it ends.”