Former world No 2 Goran Ivanisevic, who once coached Novak Djokovic, has come to the defense of rising Italian star Jannik Sinner amidst the controversy surrounding his failed doping tests, emphasizing the need for patience and understanding towards the young player.
Speaking passionately about Sinner’s situation, Ivanisevic said, “Tennis needs Sinner on the court. We need to let him focus on his game without the weight of undue scrutiny weighing him down.” He expressed his concern that there are forces at play wishing to undermine Sinner’s career through harsh criticism and excessive negativity.
Back in August, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that Sinner would escape a ban despite two positive tests for the banned substance clostebol during the Indian Wells Masters held in March. The independent tribunal ruled that the young star was not at fault, accepting his account that the steroid entered his body from a treatment spray used by his former physiotherapist.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has decided to dispute the tribunal’s ruling, appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) seeking a suspension of up to two years for Sinner. WADA has stated, “We believe the tribunal’s finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ contradicts the established rules.” They clarified that while they are not seeking to annul past results, they are indeed pushing for a strict penalty.
Ivanisevic knows all too well the pressures associated with doping allegations, having previously guided Marin Cilic through a similar ordeal. Cilic was serving a nine-month ban after testing positive for another prohibited substance in 2013, a sentence that was later reduced on appeal when he explained the contamination stemmed from glucose tablets.
Reflecting on his own experience, Ivanisevic urged the sports community to show compassion and support for Sinner. “I hope they allow him to compete and demonstrate his talents. Athletes often face intense pressure without sufficient understanding from the public. Let’s support him during this challenging time,” he stated in an interview with Sport Klub.
Looking ahead, the tennis world is also buzzing with news of Ivanisevic’s latest venture, as he confirmed that he will begin coaching WTA world No 5 Elena Rybakina starting in 2025, further expanding his influence in the sport.
