February saw the commencement of a contentious three-month ban for the then-world No. 1, Jannik Sinner, a suspension agreed upon with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) following two positive drug tests in the preceding season. This development followed an initial ruling by an independent tribunal in August that had cleared the player of wrongdoing. However, Wada challenged this verdict, disputing the finding of “no fault or negligence.” While Novak Djokovic and others voiced concerns about the fairness of the process – Serena Williams even suggesting a personal “20-year” penalty – Rafael Nadal offered a contrasting view, asserting the absence of preferential treatment in the case. The Spanish legend has now extended his thoughts on the matter.

Just days after the news broke in August of last year, Djokovic emphasized the need for “clear protocols” and “standardized” approaches to doping cases within the sport. Taking an even stronger stance, Nick Kyrgios asserted that Sinner’s ban should have been implemented irrespective of whether the doping was “accidental or planned.” However, Nadal was the one who said the anti-doping organizations must be trusted.

“I have a virtue or a deficit, which is that in the end I usually believe in people’s good faith. I know Sinner, I don’t believe that Sinner has ever wanted to dope,” Nadal had told Spanish television show “El Hormiguero.” “I don’t think we have to like it only when it is resolved in the way we think. In the end, justice is justice and I believe in justice. I believe in the bodies that have to make decisions and that really make them based on what they believe is right.” He has now reiterated his thoughts.

In an April 22nd interview, Rafa said, “In the end, if I’m not mistaken, he came out of the ruling as innocent. In this case, it’s not been positive for our sport, tennis. But these things happen sometimes, accidents happen, and that’s how I see this because I believe in Jannik. I’m convinced from what I know of Jannik that he never tried to cheat or get an advantage over the rest. I am sure that Jannik is an innocent and moral person.” However, there is a flip side to it!

On the contrary, he also supported the protocols that are bound to maintain in professional tennis. “From the other side of things, I don’t want to put in doubt the ruling. There are protocols that we’ve all followed for our careers. In this case, the authorities have all of the information – all of it, not what we have, which can be limited and many times subjective. I believe in the ruling. Jannik has accepted these three months of sanction and so: case closed. After, if we don’t like how the protocols function, then evidently the people involved need to work to improve them. But for me I don’t like to speak badly about our sport. At the end, those protocols are the protocols that we all accepted and signed onto,”

Sinner’s suspension is nearing its end, as the ban, originally contested by WADA for a length of 12 to 24 months, was ultimately reduced through negotiations with his legal team. The final agreement saw the Italian suspended from February 9 to May 4. The top seed is now set for his much-anticipated return at the Italian Open, ready to reclaim momentum on home soil following his triumphant run at the Australian Open in January, where he captured his third Grand Slam title.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, who officially stepped away from tennis last year, was recently honored at the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards. To the surprise of many, he divulged an honest perspective unlikely to be found within the context of professional tennis lovers.

Here’s why Rafael Nadal doesn’t miss tennis

Rafael Nadal officially brought his legendary tennis career to a close at the Davis Cup in Malaga last November, marking the end of an illustrious era. The 22-time GS champion has since remained distant from the tennis circuit, and his absence is now deeply felt, especially during the clay season he once dominated. 

Despite stepping away from the court, Nadal continues to receive accolades for his extraordinary contributions to sport. On Monday, he was honored with the prestigious “Sporting Icon” award at the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid, adding a fifth Laureus trophy to his collection. During a press Q&A at the event, Nadal surprised many by opening up about a lingering desire connected to the sport he once ruled.

“I don’t miss it, to be honest, I miss it zero,” Rafa added. “Not because I ended up tired or fighting with tennis, not at all. I ended up happy and if I could I would have continued playing, tennis has made me happy all my life. When you realize that you can’t, you try to close the stage, and I have closed it. It took me as long as it took because I needed time to be convinced that the decision I was making was right. What I would have taken very badly is the idea of me being on the sofa at home thinking that I could be there playing,” 

Of course, Nadal remains active in the sport through his ‘Rafa Nadal Academy’ in Mallorca. But as the clay season unfolds and Court Philippe Chatrier readies for battle, one thing will be unmistakably absent: crowds erupting with a passionate ¡Vamos, Rafa! echoing through the stands in his honor.