“I’m sympathetic to Jannik Sinner” – Medvedev on the WADA appeal

The Italian is under the scanner once again after WADA decided to file an appeal on the ITIA decision with the CAS

Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, Australian Open 2024 Image Credit: Panoramic / Panoramic

September 30, 2024

Jannik Sinner‘s positive test for an anabolic steroid from earlier this year have once again become the focal point in the tennis world after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided to appeal the decision of the International Tennis Integrity Unit (ITIA) with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

In its appeal, WADA has said that it “is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.”

The Italian was given the clear by an independent tribunal appointed by the ITIA in August, a decision which raised some among some players, who had been suspended while a decision on their case was pending.

With WADA deciding to appeal, Sinner is back under the radar and his peers have been asked to comment on the situation, the latest being Daniil Medvedev, who joined Sinner in the semi-finals of the ongoing China Open in Beijing.

I want to say he does what he needs to do. WADA does probably what they need to do. Let’s see how it finishes.
Daniil Medvedev

Jannik Sinner, US Open 2024 – © Zuma / Panoramic

“Actually, to be honest, I didn’t discuss it much in the locker room, of course except with my Russian friends because we talk more. I would generally think that the view is some think that he should be banned, some think no, he should not be,” Medvedev said when asked about what the view in the locker room was with regards to the Sinner case.

Spekaing for himself, Medvedev said he feels sympathetic towards the world No 1 because the situation is tricky.

“It’s a tricky situation. I want to say he does what he needs to do. WADA does probably what they need to do. Let’s see how it finishes. We thought maybe it was finished, but no,” said the Russian, who plays Carlos Alcaraz in the Beijing semi-finals on Tuesday. “I’m the same a little bit like Carlos (Alcaraz). I’m sympathetic to Jannik. I don’t think it has a really bad look in tennis because I think if 10 top-10 players suddenly would be on the same substance or something, it would be different. I think it’s just an individual situation which we’ll see how it ends.”