Novak Djokovic has spoken out about the controversy surrounding Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner’s doping suspension, expressing his concerns over what he called a “lack of transparency” in how the case was managed.
In an interview with British host Piers Morgan, Djokovic said the circumstances of Sinner’s temporary ban raised serious questions about fairness and consistency in tennis. The Serbian legend compared the backlash Sinner faced to the criticism he endured after refusing the Covid-19 vaccine in 2022, which led to his deportation from Australia and his exclusion from the US Open.
Djokovic remarked, “That cloud will follow him just like the Covid issue followed me throughout my career.” Despite his critique, the world No. 1 showed empathy for Sinner, describing him as “a genuine, quiet person” he has known since the Italian was just 13 or 14 years old.
Sinner was suspended earlier in 2025 after the banned substance clostebol was detected in his system. His team claimed the contamination was accidental, caused by a physiotherapist’s hand cream containing the steroid. The Italian star’s two-month suspension allowed him to compete at both the Australian Open and French Open, which sparked debate about the timing and transparency of the decision.
Djokovic said, “There were so many red flags — the lack of transparency, the inconsistency, and the convenience of the ban falling between Grand Slams. It was very odd.” While stating he did not believe Sinner deliberately cheated, Djokovic maintained that all players are responsible for their teams’ actions.
“I want to believe him,” Djokovic added. “He’s a great player and person, and I think it was unintentional. But responsibility lies with him — that’s part of the sport’s rules.”
Despite the media scrutiny, Sinner has managed to return strongly to the court, continuing his pursuit of another Nitto ATP Finals title in Turin. Meanwhile, Djokovic has withdrawn from the tournament due to injury concerns.