There has been much criticism regarding the alleged unequal treatment between Simona Halep and Iga Swiatek, following the Polish player’s positive test at TMZ. And one of these harsh attacks, perpetuated by former Romanian legend Ilie Nastase (in support of his countrywoman) unexpectedly brought up (and attacked) Jannik Sinner.
The Polish and the Italian were found positive respectively for TMZ and Clostebol, prohibited substances that, according to the interested parties and their defense, entered their bodies in a completely involuntary way.
Iga was punished with only a one-month disqualification, while the Italian will have to wait until 2025 to know his fate.
Of the differences with Halep that Nastase could not accept.
“They gave her only one month because she comes from Poland. They do not let go of their minds, they are not idiots like us. That is the difference. We are the third world, while Poland is in the good world, that is why she only got one month. It is bad. Halep took two years in the first instance, Swiatek only one month,” wrote Nastase.
Sinner and Swiatek© X / Twitter
“I do not find and do not think that there is a logical answer to explain the difference in treatment. I can only think of a bad will of the ITIA, the organization that did everything to destroy me despite the evidence. I think that the punishment against her is quite symbolic, of course. But do you believe that if Jannik Sinner had not been the number 1 in the ATP ranking and had been born in Romania, how long he would have been suspended? I’ll tell you, even for two or three years,” he added.
It should be noted that the cases between Halep, Swiatek and Sinner are different from each other. However, former tennis players, tennis players, media and fans have really gone wild in the comments, both in support and against the Pole and the Italian, who are unfortunately at the center of these doping scandals. Jannik will understand his fate only after February 2025, following WADA appeal of last September to CAS.
Tennis World USA