Goran Ivanisevic pours cold water on those who want Jannik Sinner to fail

In March at Indian Wells, Jannik Sinner failed two drug tests. He tested positive for the banned substance clostebol. He was not suspended immediately, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled that the Italian had done nothing intentionally wrong. His testing positive was an accident, and not Sinner trying to find an edge against his opponents, according to the ITIA.

Sinner might have even thought he was through with the ordeal. He was found innocent and able to continue on with his career as if nothing had happened. That was until the World Anti-Doping Agency stepped in to appeal the initial finding of the ITIA. Sinner, said the WADA, should be suspended for up to two years because that is the way other players had been treated.

The issue from some was that Sinner was treated differently than players who had preceeded him with the same issue of failing drug tests. Simona Halep, for instance, was banned almost immediately for four years until she proved her lack of any wrongdoing. Once she went through the appeal process, her sentence was reduced, but the damage was done.

Goran Ivanisevic stands up for Jannik Sinner

Sinner, maybe because he was the ATP No. 1, seemed to be set free much easier. Tennis fans did not even know about him testing positive until after the ITIA had ruled on his innocence, Still, maybe he will be found innocent after WADA's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport because if he is found guilty, tennis would look very bad and as if they attempted to cover up Sinner's intention to dope.

Former Novak Djokovic coach, and new Elena Rybakina coach, Goran Ivanisevic certainly has an opinion about what should happen with Sinner. Ivanisevic has experience dealing with a player who has gone through what Sinner is. He coached Marin Cilic from 2013 to 2016 after Cilic tested positive for the banned substance nikethamide in April 2013. In other words, Ivanisevic knows what he speaks of.

He thinks people should just leave Sinner alone. Ivanisevic told Sport Klub, "I sincerely hope they leave him alone and let him play. Tennis needs Sinner. With Cilic, I had to deal with WADA and similar bodies, I’ve been there. There are many complex people who want to destroy someone’s life. I hope for a positive outcome for Sinner."

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