If Yevgeny Kafelnikov has expressed his opinions very harshly on Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner’s doping matters, another former Russian tennis great, Nikolay Davidenko, expressed himself completely differently about his countryman.
The former world number 3 – as well as two-time semifinalist at Roland Garros and two-time semifinalist at the US Open – stated in an interview with the Russian media Championat that tennis is tennis and you will never become number 1 thanks to doping.
“You go to the pharmacy, take a pill for the bronchi and there is salbutamol, which is considered doping. You always have to go to a sports doctor, it’s such an absurdity. You won’t become a better player by taking a pill. Tennis is tennis, you won’t become number one in the world thanks to doping.
It used to be easier to regulate doping. We were also pressured, but we perceived it as normal. I didn’t worry much, I drank and ate everywhere without even thinking about possible consequences in this sense. Today the situation has worsened,” he explained.
Iga Swiatek© Polski Zwiazek Tenisowy/Instagram – Fair Use
But in the meantime, tennis continues to talk about the cases that have involved and concern the Polish and the Italian, both found positive for doping (Clostebol for Jannik, TMZ for Iga) during this season.
If for the Polish tennis player a one-month disqualification has arrived, the fate of Sinner is still unknown with the outcome of the WADA appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport that should be discussed in February. Almost a year after testing positive during the BNP Paribas Open tournament in Indian Wells in March 2024.
The situation regarding the Polish and the Italian has obviously attracted a lot of controversy and fierce criticism. Many tennis players, such as Nick Kyrgios and Simona Halep have openly sided against Jannik and the Polish, as have many other former players and insiders. Others, such as American legend Andy Roddick, have sided in support of Swiatek and Sinner.
Tennis World USA