Alexander Zverev says what he finds very 'weird' and 'strange' about Jannik Sinner's situation after ban given

Alexander Zverev played Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final just last month and now his rival is banned until May.

Zverev looked dejected at the Australian Open following his straight sets defeat to Sinner, in what was also his third consecutive Grand Slam final loss.

Nearly a month on from that final, Zverev is competing on South American clay courts while Sinner is banned until the Italian Open.

This three month ban has come after Sinner accepted the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) appeal deal following two positive tests last year.

As a result, Zverev could be targeting Sinner’s number one ranking, with 3,195 points currently between the top two ATP players.

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Alexander Zverev calls Jannik Sinner’s ban ‘weird’ and ‘strange’

This case has prompted a strong reaction, with Nick Kyrgios particularly outspoken against Sinner throughout.

Carlos Alcaraz has also commented on Sinner’s ban, and now world number two Zverev has had his say on the situation when speaking to CLAY in Rio de Janeiro.

“It’s a weird situation because it’s been obviously a very long process where first he is cleared, then obviously WADA wanted to have a second look at it and stuff like that,” said Zverev. “To me, I think, you know, there’s two options.

“Either you’re at no fault and you should get no suspension at all. Because if you have no fault, then you have no fault. You shouldn’t get punished. But if you do have fault, then I think for taking steroids, three months is not a suspension.

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“So for me, it’s either you have to decide was it his fault or was it not his fault. If it’s not his fault then he shouldn’t get a three-month suspension but if it is his fault then this is weird in a way. The whole process, the whole situation that has been there for the past year almost it’s been just strange”.

Ranking Points Jannik Sinner Alexander Zverev Current Total 11,330 8,135 Ranking points dropping before the Italian Open 1,600 950 Maximum points they can gain before the Italian Open 0 5,500 (Depending on Schedule)

Novak Djokovic criticizes anti-doping system after Jannik Sinner ruling

Novak Djokovic’s PTPA responded to Sinner’s case with a strong statement, and now the man himself has commented on the situation.

When speaking in his press conference at the Qatar Open, Djokovic spoke about the inconsistencies in doping cases between top and lower ranked players.

The Serbian also referenced Giacomo Naldi (physio) and Umberto Ferrera (fitness coach), the two former members of Sinner’s team that were linked with the contamination that led to the positive anti-doping tests.

Naldi and Ferrera are now working with another Italian in Matteo Berrettini, who has defended Sinner after speaking out.

“I spoke with several players,” said Djokovic. “In the locker room, not only in the last few days but also in the previous months. Most of them are not satisfied with how the whole process has gone, and they don’t think it’s fair. Many of them believe there was favoritism.”

“It almost seems like you can influence the result if you are a top player, and if you have access to top lawyers and so on.”

Djokovic also referenced WTA number two Iga Swiatek, who has spoken about Sinner’s case, and received a one month suspension of her own last year.

“Sinner and Swiatek are innocent, it has been prove,” Djokovic continued. “Sinner will have a three-month suspension due to some mistakes and negligence of some members of his team, who are working on the tour. This is also something that I personally and many other players find strange.”

He continued, “We have seen the cases of Simona Halep and Tara Moore, and other players perhaps less known, who have had difficulties for years to resolve their cases, or who have been suspended for a long time. I think it is really time to do something and address the system, because it is clear that the structure does not work like this.

“So yes, it is inconsistent and it seems very unfair to me, and that is all I have to say about it. We will see what happens in the near future, if the whole case will attract more attention and can shed light on other cases of lower-level players. And we have to keep in mind that Sinner and Swiatek, at the time, were number one in the world”.

Djokovic will play against the aforementioned Berrettini in Doha, in what will be his first singles match since retiring at the Australian Open.

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