Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban from tennis due to two failed drug tests in March of 2024 at Indian Wells. He will be available for the French Open in late May, and he won't lose too many points from the tournaments he misses. He has such a sizeable lead in the ATP rankings currently, that he should retain his ranking when he returns.
The general view is that Sinner accepted his ban in an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency at this time because it wouldn't cost him anything. The whole arrangement, from the player's stance to the WADA position, seems contrived. The Italian was able to negotiate his punishment, while past players, such as Simona Halep, have not been able to do that.
Tennis looks like an unclean sport now, even though most of its players are likely clean. The player at the top of the men's game basically admitted his guilt by taking the suspension, whether he said so or not. After the announcement of the ban, tennis was quick to react.
Tennis world reacts to Jannik Sinner's three-month suspension
PTPA statement regarding the Jannik Sinner case. pic.twitter.com/WVSbtljUxt
— Professional Tennis Players Association (@ptpaplayers) February 15, 2025
The PTPA was co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil so while Djokovic might not be speaking directly, there is little doubt that the views of the PTPA are also the views of the 24-time Grand Slam winner. And the organization is correct, to be fair.
How punishment is handed out for failed drug tests by different players is extremely inconsistent. The Sinner suspension was handled poorly by all involved, including the WADA who agreed to the three-month suspension at a relatively meaningless point in the season for Sinner.
I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore …
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) February 15, 2025
Wawrinka's statement is almost more sad. He has been a professional tennis player for two decades and has won majors. He is an important voice in the sport, even if he is no longer highly successful. He likely speaks for many players and fans when the situation surrounding Sinner appears so controlled in favor of the Italian.
So wada come out and say it would be a 1-2 year ban. Obviously sinners team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a 3 month ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost. Guilty or not? Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) February 15, 2025
Kyrgios has, of course, been vocally consistent with how he feels about Sinner's failed drug tests. He thought the Italian should be banned for at least a year based on how other players have been treated. As much as one might generally disagree with Kyrios's views on things, he is certainly not wrong here. Again, based on the inconsistent pattern of how tennis has handled discipline for failed tests.
Daniil Medvedev did not comment on social media, but he was asked about the three-month suspension after his loss at the Open 13 tournament. Characteristically sarcastic, the Russian said, "I hope everyone can discuss with WADA and defend themselves like Jannik Sinner from now on." He knows full well that won't happen.
Former player and current tennis commentator Tim Henman also spoke out. He said on Sky Sport, "When I read the statement this morning, it just seems a little bit too convenient. Obviously, having just won the Australian Open, to miss three months of the tour, and therefore to be eligible to play at Roland Garros, the timing couldn’t have been any better for Sinner, but I still think it leaves a pretty sour taste for the sport."
That is exactly the point. Had Sinner been banned for three months starting in mid-May, he would have missed the French Open and Wimbledon. The way it turned out is that Sinner named his terms and the WADA folded. Now, he simply will be better rested for late spring and the summer and the majors that take place then.