The high-profile doping case of Jannik Sinner was sure to divide the tennis world. Last year, the World Number 1 failed a couple of doping tests, testing positive for the banned substance, Clostebol. However, he revealed that he bore no fault of his in this case and was cleared by the ITIA. Months later, WADA reopened the case and set a CAS hearing for April. But this February, Sinner settled with WADA and accepted a three-month ban, sparking debate over its leniency. Recently, Chilean star Nicolas Jarry weighed in, comparing his case to Sinner’s.

Back in 2020, Jarry was banned for 11 months by the ITF after his urine sample was found to contain two banned substances. However, like Sinner, he pleaded innocence in this case but his pleas went unheard and he faced an 11-month ban. As a result, Jarry was left dejected when Sinner escaped with a 3-month ban.

During an interview at the Rio Open, he said, “I have not read what the reason for the three months was, what I did read is that they declared that there was no intention or that they took advantage. I think there are many cases where that happens, including mine, and if so, it’s that simple, only having three months, they should give it to everyone. So it’s a bitter pill to swallow.”

Meanwhile, Jarry isn’t the only one who has criticized Sinner after he escaped a lengthy ban. Even the likes of Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic came out against him. “So WADA come out and say it would be a 1-2 year ban. Obviously, Sinner’s team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a three-month ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost. Guilty or not? Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist,” Kyrgios wrote.

Amid criticism by most of his fellow players, Sinner found support in the form of his compatriot and close friend, Matteo Berrettini. The latter explained why it was correct to let off Sinner with a ban of just 3 months.

Matteo Berrettini expresses support to Jannik Sinner amid doping ban

Sinner and Berrettini share a strong bond and the two played together during Italy’s successful Davis Cup campaign last year. As a result, Berrettini shares a personal connection with Sinner and is confident that the latter was innocent in his doping case. During an interview, he strongly backed Sinner and offered some kind words to him.

He said, “I believe in sport. I don’t know what happened between the various organizations, I’m not a lawyer and it’s not my place. I’m only sorry for a guy like Sinner who, as the papers show, was the victim of a mistake. But Jannik is stronger than all of us… he’ll be back. I have always supported Sinner and believe that the positive tests were the result of a mistake. I can imagine that it is a difficult time for him. Have I written to him? No, I prefer to respect his desire for privacy.”

Sinner will be cleared to return on May 5 but will miss some crucial events like the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open. Nonetheless, he could make a comeback at the French Open later this year as he eyes back-to-back Grand Slam titles after his Australian Open victory.