Tennis’ polished image often hides a web of complex stories. Just ask Jannik Sinner, who, despite initially winning his doping case(which was publicly announced in August), now faces a new challenge with WADA’s appeal(on September 26th). While, per former tennis player Mark Petchey, “there is zero scandal” in the first place, Coco Gauff’s ex-coach Brad Gilbert is “completely disheveled” at WADA reopening the case. Now, weighing in on the same, the former WTA player, Kim Clijsters, revealed her “first kind of feeling”, subsequently calling for a more empathetic approach to these cases.

On October 1st, the former World No. 1 Clijsters appeared in Andy Roddick’s “Served” podcast. During the beginning of the episode, Roddick questioned Clijsters: “How do you feel about one or two-year ban for Jannik Sinner?”

Just for context. Sinner, who tested positive for Clostebol twice in March, fought a legal trial (in an independent tribunal) for over five months. However, on August 20th, the ITIA acquitted the Italian of the charges, stating he had “no fault or negligence.” Moreover, Sinner, who gave up his Indian Wells prize money and ranking points as a fine, fired his fitness coaches too, due to their involvement in contaminating him with the drug. Unfortunately, within a month, WADA decided to reopen the case as they found the initial verdict to be “incorrect,” leaving fans and Sinner perplexed.

The Belgian responded that the decision of the WADA (and their hint at a two-year ban) sounded quite “harsh,” initially. Finding a similarity between Simona Halep’s four-year ban after testing positive for Roxadustat (a banned drug) in 2022 with Sinner’s case, Clijsters continued, “But then again, this is how I felt with Simona.” Nevertheless, Halep’s two-year battle fortunately ended after she proved her innocence and returned to tennis this year in March. However, referring to such challenging phases and strict rules involving the doping cases, Clijsters said, “I was always very cautious…but you have to understand…Putting myself into that situation..I am not in control of what my trainer would have done.” 

Talking about the Brazilian player, Nicholas Zanellato, who is under suspension after testing positive for a banned drug (which he said occurred due to contamination from steak), Clijsters added, “We have players who tested positive because they ate a steak in South America.” She continued, “Try to rewind. Where did that come from? If there are so many ways, routes that this all can go and not one case is the same. But I do think that there needs to be an understanding for situations.” 

She further urged the authorities to consider the “humane” side of such trials and how it can affect a player psychologically. Moreover, Jannik Sinner has also echoed a similar sentiment earlier in an interview as well.

Jannik Sinner revealed his mental struggles after the US Open victory

Within a few weeks of announcing his doping trial, Jannik Sinner conquered the tennis courts of New York. And during his victory speech, he addressed how the journey was not an “easy.” During his legal fights, Sinner kept on maintaining his form on-court, won the Miami Open, Halle Open and even the Cincinnati Masters. However, after his maiden triumph in the Flushing Meadows, he confessed,

“It was and it’s still a little bit in my mind. It’s not that it’s gone, but when I’m on court, I try to focus about the game, I try to handle the situation the best possible way.” He further added how it became difficult for him to “enjoy” in certain moments. However, he added that he tried to “stay focused, which I guess I’ve done a great job mentally staying there every point I play, and that’s it.”

Currently, the Italian is gearing up for a final-round clash with his arch-enemy on-court, Carlos Alcaraz, in the China Open. And with the support of players and fans, he is seeking a triumph on and off the court!