Novak Djokovic has made a significant statement regarding the doping suspension of fellow tennis star Jannik Sinner, suggesting the controversy will hang over the Italian's career like a permanent 'cloud'.
The Controversial Suspension
World No. 2 Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for a banned substance, the steroid clostebol, in March 2024. Following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Sinner was suspended from all tennis competitions from February 9, 2025, to May 4, 2025.
WADA accepted Sinner's explanation that the positive tests resulted from accidental contamination. The 24-year-old claimed his physiotherapist used a spray containing the substance to treat a finger cut during a massage. The agency stated Sinner 'did not intend to cheat'.
Djokovic's Strong Critique
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Serbian legend Novak Djokovic voiced his concerns about the handling of the case. He drew a parallel between the fallout from Sinner's ban and his own deportation from Australia over his Covid-19 vaccination status three years prior.
'That cloud will follow him as the cloud of Covid will follow me for the rest of his, or my career in this case,' Djokovic said. 'It was so major... over time, it will fade, but I don't think it will disappear. There's always going to be a certain group of people that will always try to bring that forward.'
Djokovic specifically questioned the timing of the ban, which allowed Sinner to avoid missing any Grand Slam tournaments. 'The inconsistency, the convenience of, you know, the ban coming, between the [Grand] Slams, so he doesn't miss out the others. It's just, it was very, very odd,' he stated.
Broader Implications for Tennis
Djokovic also pointed to a 'lack of transparency' in the process and claimed that other players have complained about Sinner receiving preferential treatment. He referenced cases like those of Simona Halep and Tara Moore, who faced much longer suspensions.
'When you see someone for something very similar or [the] same being banned for years, and then he's banned for original, whatever three months, or whatever it was, it's just, it's not right,' Djokovic argued.
Despite the controversy, Sinner returned to the ATP Tour in May 2025 and enjoyed a successful season. He reached the final of the French Open and clinched the Wimbledon title in July, bringing his total Grand Slam singles titles to four, including the 2025 Australian Open.
