The saying, “All’s well that ends well,” from Shakespeare’s famous play might be proven wrong regarding Jannik Sinner’s doping controversy! It did end well when the independent tribunal came out with a ruling in favor of World No.1. However, it has rattled the tennis world to the core. Not the judgment, but the way it was delivered. Consequently, questions are being raised over the tribunal’s independence by furious fans as they compare the earlier doping trials.

It’s customary for players to get tested for prohibited substances regularly by the doping agencies. The results are simultaneously made public in case of players testing positive. This happened with Maria Sharapova, and the latest reminder of doping rulings, Simona Halep. But when it comes to Sinner, only the judgment was made public and not the instances when he failed the test, not once, but twice.

Sinner tested positive for Clostebol, a prohibited substance. His failure to pass the test twice was challenged on the basis that the Italian was unaware of the violation when his physio used the spray containing this banned substance. The ITIA came out with the explanation, “An independent tribunal has ruled ‘No Fault or Negligence’ in the case of Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner.” 

However, the hush-hush failure and the favorable ruling have come under the scanner of tennis fans. The renowned journalist, José Morgado, took to X, to share his opinion, as he questioned the scenarios in which the former tennis stars were put under the limelight from the get-go, unlike what happened with Sinner. He quoted a post on X and wrote, “And if this was Halep? Or Sharapova,”

Moreover, tennis fans couldn’t keep quiet as they questioned the well-kept secrecy around the failure of the dope test. And the subsequent challenges followed by a favorable ruling. They took to X to show their displeasure with the authorities.

Tennis fans question authorities as they absolve Jannik Sinner of a failed doping test

Jannik Sinner made a dream comeback by winning his 2nd ATP 1000 title this year, after withdrawing from the Paris Olympics. But it seems that the celebration songs have been drowned by the strong voices that came after the surprising ruling by ITIA. Sinner has been the favorite to carry over the legacy of the famous Big 3 group. While tennis fans love the Italian for his strong tennis skills, the secretive anti-dope ruling came as a shock to them. Nothing hurts the circuit more than the failed dope tests. Everyone sees it as a betrayal of faith, trust, and the spirit of sportsmanship.

Consequently, a fan was curious to know, “But why keep it private till NOW and not give him provisional suspension like anybody else in case of positive doping tests? @atptour” When an athlete fails a doping test, they are barred from participating in the matches as it’s against the spirit of fair play. However, Sinner is riding high on the Cincinnati Open victory in the backdrop of the failed doping test.

Moreover, the secrecy around the result has made everyone look at the ruling with a critical eye. As an X user wrote, “This looks super shady. How could they keep everyone in the dark for so many months? Very poor from the authorities. Imagine how another player would have been treated in the same situation.” Rightly so. Even Andre Agassi’s results were made public when he tested positive for methamphetamine. And he was allowed to plead his case in front of the tribunal.

Sinner not being awarded provisional suspension after testing positive twice has rattled the tennis fans, as they hold the ATP responsible for such a debacle. “The world number 1 tennis player tested positive for steroids and no provisional suspension and the entire is so shady… ATP YOU ARE SUCH TRASH,” another fan wrote.

Apart from the failure to make the results public, the role of the tribunal announcing Sinner’s innocence has also come under the scanner. The anti-doping agencies came into existence to ensure fair play, transparency, and clean sports. However, this ruling has led fans to question everything that the agencies stand for. A netizen wrote, “You are not an independent tribunal! Why wasn’t he suspended until the decision was made? This is bullshit on another level. If you were really trying to keep the sport clean, you would have the same rules applied for all to begin with. You disgust me”

It’s not the question of Jannik Sinner failing the dope test and then being allowed to appeal to prove his innocence. It’s rather about the authorities failing to make the records public. In Simona Halep’s case, on the flip side, the judgment was public. However, in Sinner’s case, the details were only available to the parties involved. Hence, every tennis fan and maybe some players’ mind is plagued with just one thought, “How has none of this been public before?” What do you think?