BRISBANE, Australia — On the eve of his return to the court docket, Novak Djokovic has weighed in on tennis’s high-profile doping circumstances and criticized what he perceives as double requirements within the sport.
The previous world No. 1, who’s chasing a report twenty fifth Grand Slam title at subsequent month’s Australian Open, expressed his frustration Sunday at being “saved in the dead of night” relating to top-ranked Jannik Sinner’s doping case.
Djokovic is the highest seed within the Brisbane Worldwide this week, making his first look on the occasion since 2009. He may even staff up with Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in doubles, with the duo headlining Monday’s motion.
Off the court docket, Djokovic lent his voice Sunday to Kyrgios’s robust criticisms made a day earlier, talking out at size concerning the ongoing doping case involving Sinner.
“I am not questioning whether or not (Sinner) took the banned substance deliberately or not,” Djokovic mentioned at a press convention Sunday in Brisbane. “We have had loads of gamers previously and at present beneath suspension for not even testing optimistic to banned substances.
“Some gamers with decrease rankings ready for his or her case to be resolved for over a 12 months. I have been actually annoyed … to see we have been saved in the dead of night for no less than 5 months (on the Sinner case).”
The Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company (ITIA) charged each Sinner and former ladies’s world No.1 Iga Swiatek with anti-doping breaches earlier within the 12 months.
Sinner examined optimistic twice for an anabolic steroid in March however averted a ban after the ITIA dominated he was not at fault. The World Anti-Doping Company has appealed the choice.
Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension in November after testing optimistic for the banned substance trimetazidine.
The Serbian additional criticized the shortage of transparency from tennis authorities relating to doping breaches.
“The ATP hasn’t actually talked in depth about it. Why have they saved that case away from the general public? We see Simona Halep’s case on the WTA Tour, now Iga Swiatek’s case,” Djokovic mentioned.
“It isn’t a superb picture for our sport. I am simply questioning the way in which the system works and why sure gamers aren’t handled the identical as others. Possibly some rating causes are behind it, or some gamers have extra monetary backing and stronger authorized groups to deal with these circumstances.”
Regardless of his frustrations, Djokovic stays centered on the season forward. After present process knee surgical procedure earlier this 12 months, he returned to succeed in the Wimbledon last however skipped the end-of-year ATP Finals, the place Sinner capped a dominant season together with his eighth title.
Djokovic is trying to prolong his legacy at Melbourne Park, the place he has claimed 10 Australian Open titles, and has introduced on former rival Andy Murray as his coach for the match.
“It is unusual for me to share all these sorts of insights about how I really feel on the court docket, among the secrets and techniques of what I am going via, what I am fascinated with, how I see my sport, with anyone who has been one in all my prime rivals,” Djokovic mentioned.
“However I am so glad and really grateful that he has accepted to work with me, and in Australia … he is very meticulous, devoted, {and professional}.”