Andy Roddick doesn’t believe in the conspiracy theories surrounding the Jannik Sinner doping case and he thinks the Italian absolutely didn’t intentionally take a banned substance but still expects the world No. 1 to get at least some kind of suspension after the WADA decided to appeal the ITIA’s ruling.
From Day 1 of this case, some wild claims have been made as a certain group of people has been pushing the narrative that the 23-year-old avoided a provisional suspension and a definitive ban just because of his status in the game. And after it was announced during the weekend that the WADA was appealing the initial ruling, that was exactly what the Italian’s critics wanted to hear.
For context, Sinner tested twice for a steroid in March but wasn’t banned after his team quickly determined which product they used that turned out to be contaminated.
“In all of these cases, if you’re organized enough to know, to figure out what the source of claiming ‘no fault, no negligence,’ the source of the substance, you have like a 48-hour shot clock from when you’re notified. Talk to your team, talk to everyone else, get to know the problem to solve the problem, which Jannik Sinner did with it within that 48-hour period which is why he has gotten some time and didn’t have to stop playing,” Roddick said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
Andy Roddick© Served with Andy Roddick/YouTube
Roddick: No, Sinner wasn’t treated differently
After it was revealed to the public how a prohibited substance got into the Italian’s body, some simply refused to believe it. While his now former physio Giacomo Naldi was treating a cut, he used an over-the-counter spray and that’s how the 23-year-old unknowingly had a banned substance enter his body.
However, Sinner’s explanation was accepted, and not only that he escaped a provisional ban, but the investigation also later concluded that he “bore no fault or negligence.”
Addressing that, Roddick highlighted that he wouldn’t complain if the world No. 1 received a six-month suspension because his belief is that players also bear responsibility for their team and potential mistakes. But he is also 100 percent certain that the two-time Grand Slam champion’s explanation was valid and that double standards weren’t involved.
“You have to submit a formal proposal with confidence ‘cause that’s what your case is going to be based off of. Jannik Sinner did that which is why people are saying, ‘Well he got special treatment.’ No he did everything he has done so far and listen you might want him to get suspended, I don’t disagree with you. I said during the US Open, if they had suspended him for six months I wouldn’t have blinked, like I understand that we have some responsibility for our team and our surroundings,” the 2003 US Open winner added.
“I don’t think he did it on purpose. He did execute within that 48-hour period. He got his ducks in a row and submitted his case. He was able to move very quickly in a very organized fashion with a bunch of fancy lawyers. This isn’t a tennis issue if you can afford a fancy lawyer you normally get to a result faster and softer.”
Roddick: I think the WADA’s intent is to get a Sinner suspension…
It took the world’s biggest anti-doping agency 40 days to issue a response and lodge an appeal in the ITIA’s ruling. Sharing his take on that, the American tennis legend thinks the intention behind that was clear
“I just feel if WADA is reinserting themselves into this conversation that they’re going to do it with intent in mind for a suspension. I would be surprised if he wasn’t suspended for some amount of time,” the former world No. 1 said.
On his podcast, Roddick also underlined that he has no doubt that Sinner would never intentionally take a banned substance simply because he doesn’t see any reason why a player in his position would do that.
“I don’t believe he is an idiot, I don’t think he is consciously going to do something that does enhance performance to risk legacy, reputation, time, chance at Slams, etc. I feel badly for Jannik,” the American noted.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old sounded disappointed after the latest development in his case as he shared that he had three hearings with WADA officials and that his feeling was that everything was going well. But then, he was notified that his case was going to the CAS and that he would have to defend himself again.
A couple of days ago, Italian media reported that Sinner will probably learn his fate in early 2024, specifically in February.