Remember those schoolyard brawls where everyone’s shouting and pointing fingers? There’s always that one kid who quietly steps in, not necessarily agreeing with the fight, but offering a hand to the one getting piled on. That’s kind of what Casper Ruud is doing for Jannik Sinner right now. While Nick Kyrgios and Stan Wawrinka are leading the charge of criticism, Ruud is offering a different perspective, a quiet show of support. And he’s not alone!

When, in August last year, it was revealed that Sinner tested positive for a banned substance-twice-Sinner’s explanation, that the contamination resulted from a massage by his trainer, who had used the substance to treat his wounds, was accepted by ITIA. However, after a month, WADA took Jannik Sinner’s case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) because he initially avoided a ban after testing positive for “Clostebol”. At the time, WADA sought to impose at least a 1-year suspension on the 3-time grand slam winner. On Saturday, February 15th, WADA released a statement affirming that the length of the ban was appropriate, having acknowledged Sinner’s account of the inadvertent violation. 

Just as the final verdict came out, Nick Kyrgios added on his X, quoting, “So WADA come out and say it would be a 1-2 year ban,” Kyrgios wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “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.”

The 3-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka followed him, saying, “I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore.” Kyrgios responded to the tweet: “You and me both.” Then there are those who feel Sinner.

Rudd, who is currently playing in an exhibition tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, added, “I know Jannik very well. I’m with him. I think he’s a good guy. “Of course, after this, he will still be the best player in the world.”

French veteran Richard Gasquet, competing in Guadalajara alongside the Italian, expressed his sympathy as well. “Jannik is a great guy, he has a great personality and he is very nice on the court, he will be back soon, that’s the most important thing.”

Well, there are more opinions pouring in from all corners of tennis world!

Richard Ings, Rennae Stubbs, and Alexander Zverev on Jannik Sinner’s ban

Former Head of ATP’s anti-doping program and CEO of Australia’s anti-doping authority, Richard Ings said: “I’ve followed and analyzed this case. This case has been transparent. There is a 32 page detailed decision of every step of the process. There is now a detailed explanation of the plea agreement reached for the 3 month,” he added.

Even Rennae Stubbs, who predicted a certain ban after his AO triumph last month, added: “Will talk the Sinner stuff on my next pod. I have stated before on the pod that this was likely going to happen. Glad it wasn’t more than 3 months but ooofff what a freakin joke Wada is…. Will explain in a couple of days.”

Alexander Zverev, after facing a shocking defeat against local player Francisco Cerundolo in the quarterfinals of the Argentina Open, was of the opinion, “Either you’re at no fault and you should get no suspension at all. Because if you have no fault, then you have no fault. You shouldn’t get punished. But if you do have fault, then I think for taking steroids, three months is not a suspension. So for me, it’s either you have to decide was it his fault or was it not his fault. If it’s not his fault then he shouldn’t get a three-month suspension but if it is his fault then this is weird in a way.”

Owing to the ban, Jannik Sinner will miss the Sunshine Double, the Monte Carlo Masters, and the Madrid Open. As a result, he will lose a total of 1,600 points from these tournaments. He is set to make his return at the Italian Open, which starts on May 7. And, with the French Open beginning on May 25, the tournament in Rome will serve as a crucial “preparatory” ground ahead of the grand slam event.

The significant question now is whether the reigning Australian Open champion can make a strong comeback and secure another major title this season, silencing his critics in the process.