Stan Wawrinka fumes over Jannik Sinner settlement as he clashes with ATP veteran
Stan Wawrinka says he “does not believe in clean sport anymore” after hearing that Jannik Sinner has settled with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for failing two doping tests, leading to a former top 15 player fighting back.
Just days before the Qatar Open, the news broke that Sinner had reached an agreement with WADA to be banned for a three-month period, in exchange for the agency dropping their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Their appeal was in response to an independent tribunal finding that the 2025 Australian Open champion bore ‘no fault or negligence’ for the presence of the banned anabolic steroid clostebol found within his system in March 2024.
The Swiss, after hearing about the settlement, took to X and simply stated: “I don’t believe in clean sport anymore,” alluding to his disagreement with the spirit of the agreement.
The statement from WADA made clear that they do not believe that the Italian intended to gain any advantage from the steroid, but makes clear that there must be a punishment for the negligence.
However, in response to the three-time Grand Slam champion, former world No 12 Feliciano Lopez replied: “I do Stan. It’s very clear he hasn’t done anything to enhance his performance, that’s proven,” going on to say “He’s taking full responsibility for others mistake and 3 months suspension consequently. Longer suspension would’ve made sport cleaner? I don’t think so.”
Lopez has often spoken highly of the world No 1, saying he will ‘definitely’ reach double-digits in terms of his Grand Slam count.
“There is no doubt he deserves to be No. 1 in the world. If there’s one thing more impressive than the intensity of his tennis, it’s his ability to keep the bar high,” said the Spaniard.
“Everyone else has their ups and downs, but he doesn’t. Two years ago, he was a different player, and today he still wants to improve. I can only imagine how he could play if he continues like this.”
“He’ll definitely be in double figures [in terms of Grand Slams], let’s say 14.”
WADA’s appeal to the CAS was due to be held in April, with a victory likely meaning that Sinner would be banned for one or two years, due to him and his team being ‘negligent’ towards the failed doping tests.
As WADA stated in their statement following the agreement: “Under the code and by virtue of CAS precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence.”
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The world No 1 had already arrived in Doha and was practising ahead of the tournament where he was scheduled to be the top seed of the draw.
“After latest developments, I would do [the] following (assuming I was still playing),” said former world No 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who took to X and was clear as to his position.
“After Every time I draw Sinner in the tournament, I do not go on court, doesn’t matter if first round or final. But I’m afraid not one will do same.”
WADA says that the world No 1 “did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage”.
