Roger Federer on the Sinner case: Answering a question

Tennis legend Roger Federer has denounced the lack of transparency in the doping scandal surrounding Jannik Sinner. At the same time, however, he also speaks of a "nightmare" that the world number one must be experiencing.

September 03, 2024

From: dpa/fop

The South Tyrolean was acquitted shortly before the US Open after two positive doping tests. The public had not heard anything about the proceedings until the acquittal.

"I think we all pretty much trust that Jannik hasn't done anything," said the Swiss Federer on the show 'Today' on NBC on US television. "But the possible discrepancy that he didn't have to sit out while they weren't 100 percent sure what was going on - I think that's a question that needs to be answered." You have to trust the process, but: "I understand the frustration: Was he treated the same as others?" asked Federer.

Jannik Sinner is considered innocent in his doping case. © ANSA / KENA BETANCUR

According to the responsible tennis agency Itia, Sinner was acquitted two weeks ago by an independent court after two positive tests in March for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol. The Australian Open winner's explanation that the banned substance accidentally entered his body during a massage was considered conclusive.

“We don’t want to see this news in sport” Roger Federer

"This is something we don't want to see in our sport, this kind of news, regardless of whether he did something or not," said the 43-year-old Federer, who ended his career two years ago with 20 Grand Slam titles. "I understand that it is a tricky situation. It is every athlete's and team's nightmare to have these allegations and problems."

Before Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal commented on the Sinner case in different ways. The world number one from Sexten will play his quarter-final duel against Daniil Medvedev in New York on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (CEST).

Schlagwörter: Tennis Jannik Sinner Roger Federer doping