Who’s saying what about Jannik Sinner’s 3-month suspension: ‘I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore…’

World number one Jannik Sinner has accepted an immediate three-month doping ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said they had reached a settlement on his period of ineligibility, allowing him to return before the French Open in May. The decision, however, hasn’t gone down well in the tennis community, with many questioning the convenience of the suspension period

WADA Statement: WADA accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage.

Sinner’s statement: “This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year. I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise WADA’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a 3-month sanction.”

"It just seems a little bit too convenient." Tim Henman reacts to Jannik Sinner accepting an immediate three-month ban from tennis. pic.twitter.com/W3CqA99Jyd — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 15, 2025

Here are some player reactions, with three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka coming out with a strong statement:

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@stanwawrinka: I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore …

@feliciano_lopez (in reply to Wawrinka): I do Stan. It’s very clear he hasn’t done anything to enhance his performance, that’s proven.He’s taking full responsibility for others’ mistake and 3 monthsof suspension consequently. Longer suspension would’ve made sport cleaner? I don’t think so.

@Liambroady : Didn’t realise you could reach a settlement regarding a doping ban… Interesting. Back in time for French Open I guess?

@NickKyrgios: So WADA come out and say it would be a 1-2 year ban. Obviously Sinner’s team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a 3 month ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost. Guilty or not? Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist.

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@rennaestubbs: (I had said) that this was likely going to happen. Glad it wasn’t more than 3 months but ooofff what a freakin joke Wada is…. Will explain in a couple of days.

@Nicolas_Kiefer: (Translated from German) Sad day for tennis, it seems that there is no longer any fairness in tennis. I am sure that Dan Evans, Simona Halep or Nicolas Jarry would have wanted a three-month suspension. Rules should actually be rules!

Tim Henman to Sky Sports: I think first and foremost, a couple of cases have sent shockwaves through tennis. Obviously, Sinner has had this cloud over his head. Swiatek also tested positive. So two of the best players in the world, one in the men’s, one in the women’s, have had drug cases. With Sinner, I want to start off first and foremost by saying I don’t think in any way he has been trying to cheat at any stage. I don’t believe that. However, when I read this statement this morning, it just seems a little bit too convenient. It seems that there are words like agreement, and it almost seems like there’s been a negotiation. Obviously, having just won the Australian Open to miss three months of the tour and therefore be eligible to play at Roland-Garros, the timing couldn’t have been any better for Sinner. But I still think it leaves a pretty sour taste for the sport. I’m sure we’ll understand a little bit more because it is such a fresh story. But it’s just a bit too convenient for me right now.

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