The tennis world has been buzzing with controversy, and the hits just keep coming. As if the uproar over Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s doping cases wasn’t enough, another bombshell has dropped—this time involving young Russian talent Daniil Savelev. But here’s the twist: it’s not just the players under the spotlight. Fans are now calling out the investigative agencies themselves, accusing them of playing favorites, sparking claims of preferential treatment for the sport’s bigger names.

It was on December 20 when ITIA revealed that Savelev tested positive for the prohibited substance meldonium in July 2024. He was immediately suspended and has not been in action since August this year. Further, a ban of two years has been imposed on him, and the Russian player can only hit back the courts in August 2026. 

In its statement, the ITIA said that it believed that Savelev took the banned substance unintentionally. “Savelev admitted to ingesting meldonium tablets, confusing family medication for supplements of a similar appearance,” However, he accepted a suspension for not taking any steps to mitigate the rule violation. Now, this judgment has sparked a huge furor in the tennis community. 

Several fans took to X and shared their perspectives on the entire issue. They did not just bash Swiatek and Sinner highlighting how they were let go in their cases, but also lashed out at the investigative agencies accusing them of preferential treatment. 

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek in hot waters as doping saga refuses to die down

Taking to X, one user wrote, “How about Sinner and Swiatek?!” Remember, Jannik Sinner’s doping case came to light soon after his victory at the Cincinnati Open and it was revealed that he tested positive twice for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol during the Indian Wells. Similarly, Swiatek’s case came to light in November this year. It was revealed that she tested positive for low levels of Trimetazidine also known as TMZ, in August 2024. 

However, both the players were let go by the investigative agencies which ruled that the contamination was unintentional and they were allowed to hit back to the courts. This judgment did not sit well with many, with people demanding stringent actions against them and with Savelev’s case coming to light, the demands are resurfacing. More such reactions continued to follow. 

Responding to the case, another user wrote, “So why Swiatek and Sinner are different? Why there are so many tennis players positive?” When it comes to Swiatek and Sinner, the course of action has been a little odd. While Sinner did not face any suspension, Swiatek accepted a one-month ban. However, she was allowed to play in some crucial tournaments like the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup, and the remaining eight days of her suspension were completed after the BJK Cup Finals. The fans have been questioning these actions for long and more people joined the fray this time as well. 

“Yet Sinner and Swaitek are free to play! Such a corrupt system,” wrote another user. Interestingly, this is not the first time that ITIA has been accused of preferential treatment in Sinner and Swiatek’s case. In November this year, another doping saga came to light with Czech player Nikola Bartunkova made to face a six-month ban. Fans took to social media platforms then as well and questioned the investigative agencies about their approach and consistency. 

One more user commented on the latest case and wrote, “Shameful. How about they do the same for Closterboy and Iga. Or do they penalize Russians because they are Russian. Tennis su**s.” Notably, it is not just the fans who are questioning the process and rulings, but also players and experts themselves. Many including the likes of Nick Kyrgios and Yevgeny Kafelnikov demanded stringent actions and bans against both players. Former pro and current broadcaster Jason Goodall even questioned the transparency of the process asking why the case was kept under wraps for a long time. 

Yet another user expressed his disappointment and wrote, “Sorry, Savelev. You are not Sinner.” As the backlashes intensify, it would be interesting to see if ITIA or the players themselves will come out to defend the ruling with a take on the latest case.