The 38-year-old tennis legend Rafael Nadal has publicly defended 23-year-old Jannik Sinner after the latter was suspended for three months for doping.  “I am 100 percent convinced that Jannik is innocent,” Nadal said in a CNN interview, expressing his unflinching faith in Sinner’s innocence.  I don’t believe he ever planned to do anything illegal.

 Nadal also underlined that Sinner’s position as the world number one did not grant him any special treatment.  According to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, “I don’t believe he was treated any differently than anyone else,”  “I firmly believe in the process; I have spent 20 years going through all the examinations, and I am aware of how rigorous they are in each and every case.  I have faith in the system.

Sinner tested positive for Clostebol twice in March 2024.  Sinner’s claim that the steroid accidentally entered his system while receiving treatment from his physiotherapist was approved by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) first requested that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) consider the matter.  But in February, a deal was made, and Sinner was given a three-month suspension.  The Italian is scheduled to make his comeback at the Masters in Rome beginning on May 7th, and he will be allowed to resume competition on May 4th.