Jannik Sinner’s failed doping tests: Novak Djokovic’s former coach gives his verdict
Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic has defended Jannik Sinner over his failed doping tests and urged people to leave the Italian alone.
The 2001 Wimbledon champion proclaimed that “many complex people want to destroy someone’s life” as he expressed his hope for a positive outcome for Sinner.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced in August that Sinner had avoided a ban for failing two doping tests in March after an independent tribunal ruled he was not at fault.
The Italian tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, on March 10 and 18 — during and after the Indian Wells Masters.
The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had entered his body when receiving a massage from his former physio, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on his finger.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the verdict, seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on Sinner.
A statement from WADA said: “It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules.
“WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.”
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Prior to his highly successful collaboration with Djokovic, Ivanisevic coached Marin Cilic between 2013 and 2016, helping his Croatian compatriot win the 2014 US Open.
At the time of Ivanisevic’s appointment, Cilic was serving a ban from tennis after testing positive for the banned substance nikethamide in April 2013.
Cilic’s suspension was reduced from nine months to four months on appeal after he claimed the substance had entered his system via glucose tablets.
Ivanisevic recalled his experience of dealing with anti-doping bodies from his time as Cilic’s coach as he expressed empathy for Sinner’s situation.
“I sincerely hope they leave him alone and let him play. Tennis needs Sinner,” the former world No 2 said in an interview with Tennis Majors.
“With Cilic, I had to deal with WADA and similar bodies, I’ve been there. There are many complex people who want to destroy someone’s life. I hope for a positive outcome for Sinner.”
WTA world No 5 Elena Rybakina announced last week that she has hired Ivanisevic as her coach, with the partnership starting in 2025.
